The House of Representatives’ Committee on Basic Examination Bodies interrogated the National Head of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria, Josiah Dangut, on Tuesday. The questioning focused on a N6 billion deficit incurred by the agency in 2023 and a N5 billion loan obtained in 2022 for customized calculators.
Dangut, accompanied by senior WAEC officials, presented the agency’s cashbook, but the committee rejected it, demanding bank statements instead. Due to unsatisfactory responses, the committee ordered WAEC to submit all bank statements from 2018 within a week.
Committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticized WAEC’s lack of cooperation, emphasizing the need for accountability.
The committee questioned WAEC’s expenditure, noting that only N34 billion was generated in 2023 but N40 billion was spent. They also inquired about the N5 billion loan approval, which exceeded the authority of a ministerial board.
The committee demanded details of the N6 billion deficit, correspondence on the calculator purchase, evidence of loan approval, and payment records. They also requested evidence of account submissions to the Auditor General and the external auditor’s profile....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
WAEC was found to have violated financial regulations by paying 50% of the N532 million contract for the Taraba state office construction.
Dangut requested more time to provide the required documents, citing inflation as a reason for the advance payment on the Taraba office.
The committee chairman stressed the importance of cooperation from WAEC in providing all necessary documentation to expedite the investigation.
Source: Sun Newspaper
