The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has initiated an investigation into the financial activities of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, following concerns over a reported N6 billion deficit in 2023 and a N5 billion loan for the purchase of customized calculators.
On Tuesday, WAEC Nigeria’s Head, Josiah Dangut, appeared before the committee in Abuja, accompanied by key officials, including the Registrar, Angus Okeleze, Senior Deputy Registrar, Victor Odu, Acting Director of Finance, Segun Jerumeh, and Deputy Director of Finance, WAEC.
During the session, Dangut requested additional time to submit the required documentation. He explained that a 50% payment had been made for the construction of WAEC’s Taraba state office to preempt potential cost increases due to inflation. The committee, however, emphasized that the inquiry was a standard procedure to ensure transparency and accountability, not a witch-hunt.
The committee raised concerns about how WAEC generated N34 billion in 2023 but spent N40 billion. They also questioned the approval of a N5 billion loan for calculators without proper authorization. Committee members demanded that WAEC provide detailed explanations for the financial shortfall and furnish all relevant documents, including expenditure reports and correspondence related to the calculator purchase.
Although Dangut presented the committee with the agency’s cashbook, the members expressed dissatisfaction with the information provided. The committee ordered WAEC to submit bank statements from 2018 to the present within one week, criticizing the organization for being uncooperative and withholding vital information.
Committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante expressed frustration with WAEC’s lack of cooperation, stating, “WAEC Nigeria was an uncooperative witness in this process, shielding and denying Nigerians of having value for whatever investment the country has had in that office should submit to this committee in furtherance of this investigation all the bank account statements of his office.”
The committee also highlighted that out of eight requested submissions from WAEC, only one, the nominal roll, had been provided. The Chairman reiterated the need for WAEC to explain its financial discrepancies and provide evidence of due process, including approval for the N5 billion loan, payment records, and proof of account submissions to the Auditor General from 2018 to 2023.
Additionally, the committee scrutinized the payment of 50% of the contract sum for the Taraba state office construction, which amounted to N532 million, questioning whether it complied with financial and procurement regulations.
In response, Dangut requested additional time to gather and present the necessary documents, stressing that the payment for the Taraba office was made to avoid the effects of rising inflation.
