ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-A coalition of civil society organisations has raised concerns over what it described as legislative interference by members of the National Assembly in the operations of examination bodies.
The groups called for constructive, transparent, and mutually respectful engagement between House of Representatives committees and Nigeria’s examination bodies, while emphasising the need to protect institutional independence within the education sector.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Convener of the Social Transparency and Youth Leadership Advancement Initiative, Okpanachi Jacob, said the CSOs were offering broad observations and recommendations aimed at improving governance, accountability, and public confidence in educational institutions.
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According to him, “interactions between lawmakers and examination bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the West African Examinations Council, the National Examinations Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board should be guided by transparency, due process and mutual respect.”
Jacob noted that the organisations believe that “maintaining clear institutional boundaries and professional standards is essential to sustaining the credibility of examination processes nationwide.”
He clarified that the coalition’s position was not based on any proven wrongdoing or confirmed incidents, but rather on a wider commitment to promoting best practices in legislative oversight and public administration.
The coalition also highlighted the importance of “clear internal procedures within legislative committees, particularly on administrative and operational matters, as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and public trust.”
In addition, the organisations advocated “greater openness and clarity in governance processes, noting that transparency strengthens democratic institutions and fosters citizen confidence.”
They further called on the leadership of the House of Representatives, under the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to continue upholding ethical standards, internal unity, and strict compliance with rules guiding legislative operations.
The coalition stressed that protecting the autonomy and credibility of Nigeria’s examination bodies serves the national interest and urged sustained collaboration among stakeholders in line with constitutional principles and democratic values.
Lawmakers overseeing examination bodies in Nigeria hold quarterly hearings to review budgetary allocations, procurement procedures, and the integrity of national examinations.
At a recent session, legislators questioned officials over alleged irregularities in test score releases and called for stricter enforcement of anti-cheating measures to restore public confidence, while also mandating independent audits of the bodies’ financial records.