By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has initiated a probe into troubling reports of West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) being held at midnight in some areas, raising serious questions about student safety and examination integrity.
This was disclosed by the Chairman House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Rep. Oboku Oforji, during a meeting with representatives from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Friday at the National Assembly complex . 
Rep. Oforji stressed the need for full disclosure, as he said that Nigerian parents and guardians are owed a thorough explanation as to how such irregular scheduling occurred and why students were exposed to risk under such unusual circumstances.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the committee had earlier called for WAEC’s leadership to appear before it following public outcry over irregularities reported in the ongoing exams.
Addressing the situation, Rep. Oforji issued an apology on behalf of the committee to concerned families, assuring them that the matter would not be taken lightly, and emphasised that the goal is to ensure both the credibility of examinations and the protection of students at all levels.
The inquiry seeks to uncover both the immediate triggers and systemic issues that may have led to the scheduling of exams outside of standard hours, with lawmakers calling for accountability and preventive measures moving forward.
WAEC Faces Lawmakers’ Wrath Over Leadership’s Absence at Exam Irregularities Hearing
ABUJA, Nigeria — Tensions ran high at the National Assembly on Friday as representatives of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) appeared before the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies to address alarming reports of midnight examinations.
The Senior Assistant Registrar and Zonal Coordinator, Ambrose Okelezo, who represented the Head of WAEC Nigeria, informed the committee that the council’s national head was unable to attend due to an emergency meeting involving the Registrar and heads of other national WAEC offices.
Okelezo requested that the hearing be deferred until Monday to allow the WAEC leadership to appear in person and provide direct responses to the committee’s concerns.
However, members of the committee were visibly unimpressed by the explanation.
Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante openly rebuked the absence, asserting that WAEC could not choose the terms of its engagement with the legislature.
“This is not a courtesy invitation. WAEC must understand the gravity of the issue and respond accordingly,” he said.
The committee stood firm on its demand for answers, insisting that the integrity of the examination process and the safety of students are matters that require immediate and serious attention.
