WAEC Official Alleges N15bn Exam Materials Shortfall, Accuses DG Dangut of Intimidation
A staff member of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Olanrewaju Fadehan, has alleged financial and administrative irregularities involving calculators and identification cards used during the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Fadehan, who works with WAEC in Anambra State, claimed that candidates paid for calculators and identification cards but many did not receive the items. He estimated the value of the alleged shortfall at about N15 billion. The allegations have not been established by a court or independent audit. WAEC has rejected the claims.
According to Fadehan, the calculator issue became clear during the 2026 WASSCE after complaints from schools and education officials. He claimed that about 13,000 calculators were supplied for more than 65,000 candidates in Anambra State.
He said the calculators were valued at about N4,500 each. Using his estimate that about 1.5 million candidates across the country did not receive calculators they had paid for, he put the possible value of the alleged calculator shortfall at about N6.75 billion. He added the alleged value of missing identification cards to arrive at the N15 billion figure.
Fadehan also alleged that the absence of identification cards created concerns about candidate verification during examinations. He said the cards were intended to help confirm candidates and support measures against examination malpractice.
The WAEC official further alleged that some examination centres experienced shortages of question papers. He claimed that some candidates were forced to share papers and that certain examinations began several hours later than scheduled. These claims also remain disputed and have not been independently established.
The allegations have now developed into a legal and police dispute. The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre invited Fadehan over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation. WAEC and its Director-General, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, have also filed a legal action seeking N825 million in damages.
A Lagos State High Court issued an interim order restricting Fadehan from publishing or circulating material concerning WAEC, its examinations and Dangut that was considered defamatory or damaging. The order was reported to last for seven days unless extended by the court.
Fadehan has rejected the allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation. He maintains that his statements amount to whistleblowing and says he has documents, recordings and other materials to support his claims.
He also said he had raised concerns with the WAEC board, the Minister of Education and the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examining Bodies. He said he later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
WAEC has disputed Fadehan’s account and accused him of spreading false and sensational claims. The council has also linked disciplinary action against him to an alleged diesel shortage at its Awka office. Fadehan disputes that explanation and says his disciplinary problems are connected to his allegations against the council’s management.
Dangut has said the matter is already before the court and that Fadehan should present whatever evidence he has through the judicial process. He also rejected the allegations against him.
The N15 billion figure therefore remains an allegation at this stage. Establishing the claim would require a review of WAEC procurement records, payment documents, delivery records, distribution figures and evidence from affected candidates and schools.
The ongoing dispute has placed fresh attention on the administration of the 2026 WASSCE and the systems used to provide examination materials to candidates. The outcome of the legal proceedings and any possible investigations could determine whether the allegations are supported by evidence.
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