The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has maintained that it is the standard practice of the examination council to charge a fee for the production of data required by individuals or organisations.
This position was made known by the Public Affairs Officer of the exam body, Mr Demianus Ojijeogu in a text message responding earlier enquiry.
WAEC was responding to the report that it demanded N1.85m to process data of best students for Edubox. “It’s been standard WAEC practice to charge a fee for the production of such data for individuals or organisations that require them,” he said.
However, he noted that WAEC do grant waivers to non-profit and non-governmental organisations for altruistic purposes. Ojijeogu affirmed that from the letter of EDUBOX, it was not stated that the body is a registered NGO with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“The Council, however, grants waivers to non-profit and or non-governmental organisations for altruistic purposes.
It’s a fact that Edubox as can be seen from their letter, did not request for the said data as a registered NGO with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and may have requested the data for intentions that are far from encouraging scholarship and therefore, could not have been granted a waiver.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Council remains the foremost champion for the reward of academic excellence”.
It will be recalled that EDUBOX, a Lagos-based organisation had on December 8, 2015, in a letter signed by its chief executive officer, Sanusi Tosin, requested the list of best student in each states of the country from the WAEC.
The letter reads: “The above named organisation (EDUBOX) hereby request, from your establishment the list of the best outstanding students in the May/June West African Examination Council for the year 2014/2015 Academic session in each of the states in Nigeria”
“It is the aim of the organisation to reward these students, with the purpose of inspiring the younger generation. This platform also, will be used to empower youth that are aspiring to go further in their educational pursuit.”
WAEC in a reply letter to EDUBOX, dated January 20, 2016, and signed by an officer-in-charge (Test Administration), Dr.O.F. Dacosta, demanded the sum of over N1.8 million as cost of processing the data for the organisation.
The letter reads, “Please refer to your letter dated 8th December, 2015 on the above subject”
“This is to inform you that the cost of processing the data is N1, 850, 000.00 (one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand naira) only.
“Kindly draw a bank draft in this sum in favour of the West African Examinations Council to enable us process your request”.
— Vanguard
