The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies grilled Mr. Josiah Dangut, the Head of the National Office of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, and others on Tuesday over a N6 billion deficit incurred by the agency in the 2023 financial year and a N5 billion loan obtained in 2022 for the purchase of customized calculators.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Oboku Oforji, during an investigative hearing in Abuja, directed WAEC to submit all its bank statements from 2018 to date within one week, following unsatisfactory responses from its representatives.
WAEC had provided the agency’s cashbook to the Committee, but this was declined, with the Committee insisting on bank statements for thorough scrutiny.During the hearing, Committee member Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante described WAEC as uncooperative and stressed that it must be held accountable.
He said, “WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians value for the investments made. The agency should submit all its bank account statements to this committee for further investigation.”
The Committee also expressed concern over WAEC’s failure to provide eight requested submissions to probe its expenditures.
The Committee Chairman questioned how WAEC generated N34 billion in 2023 but spent N40 billion. He also wondered how the examination body could approve a N5 billion loan for customized calculators when such an amount could not be approved by a Ministerial Board.He queried the WAEC Head about the number of students who participated in the 2022 exams for which the calculators were procured.
The Committee demanded that WAEC provide details on expenditures leading to the N6 billion deficit and all correspondence related to the purchase of the customized calculators.
Evidence of approval for the N5 billion loan and due process for the contract award, including payment vouchers and bank records, was also required.
Additionally, the Committee requested evidence of account submissions to the Auditor General for the Federation from 2018 to 2023, the profile of the external auditor, and engagement letters for the past three years.
The Committee queried WAEC for breaching financial, public procurement, and financial regulations acts concerning the payment of 50 percent of the contract for constructing its Taraba State office, worth N532 million.
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However, the WAEC boss requested another date to present the statement of accounts and other documents.
Speaking, the Committee Chairman clarified that the Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies was not a witch-hunting entity but was focused on fulfilling its constitutional obligations.
He stated, “Both the legislative house and WAEC are bound by the Constitution. As such, the committee expects full cooperation from WAEC, including the timely provision of all necessary documents to expedite our inquiry and report.”
