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RSG Alleges Exam Fraud Syndicate In WAEC
The Rivers State Government has alleged that there is a syndicate within the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) which collects money from some officials to enlist them as supervisors in the on-going examination conducted by the body.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, who gave the indication while speaking on a radio programme in Port Harcourt monitored by The Tide at the weekend, expressed worry over a new terminology called ‘sign-on fee’ used by those linked to the syndicate to recoup what they have spent by exploiting candidates sitting for the exam.
The commissioner said that the act was being perpetrated by some bad eggs in WAEC with their partners who may be school heads in Rivers State, cautioning that the state government would not allow that to continue.
According to him, “I want to distinguish between examination malpractice and a new terminology that is in town; what they call ‘sign-on fee’. It is crazy! We discovered that they have changed procedure now.”
The commissioner said that he has received several calls from parents on the trend, saying the most recent was a report about a supervisor at Government Secondary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, who was collecting N1,000 from each student before they could submit their scripts.
“The chairman of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board got to Elekahia (last Thursday) and incidentally he got the supervisor who is a teacher in Government Secondary School, Oyigbo.
“I asked her ‘were you nominated to be a supervisor?’ and she said she was not nominated. Since she was not nominated by her principal, she has no business being a supervisor.
“Now, the question is ‘how did you find yourself here’? Her response was that she paid N30, 000 to her vice principal or a teacher in her school who linked her up to somebody.
“I asked where? She became evasive. She said she was linked and somehow, she got an appointment letter from WAEC to become a supervisor.
“Now, all these point to the fact that there are a syndicate. Now, certain persons have been nominated to be supervisors, and because you want to recoup. Because you want to make quick money, all they do is look for some syndicates.
“If you look at the presentation of the woman, I paid N30, 000 to my vice principal who took me to somebody. Now, the syndicate here would have been some of our teachers and some people in WAEC,” he stated.
Gogo-Jaja noted that there were people bent on circumventing procedures, saying “these people are within the system, if you do not investigate properly, it will be difficult to catch up with these people.
“Now, the lady that has been caught will lead us to the principal of her school or the vice principal who will eventually get us to the person who brought in her name in the list of supervisors,” he added.
He further said that the state Ministry of Education, in collaboration with relevant partners, have a major target which is to end examination malpractice, saying “aside the decision of handling public schools, we engaged owners of private schools because you mostly have these miracle centres in private schools.
“Now, the reports that I have been getting since the exam (WAEC) started have been on issues of either you pay before you enter or if you don’t pay, you cannot pass your answer script. Now, this is what they adopted as a ‘sign-on fee’, ranging from N500 or N1,000.
“Because you have paid a syndicate N30, 000, you will find a way to recoup it, not minding the fact that we have stated and warned that if you get involved, you will lose your job, and that is the truth of the matter.”
Dennis Naku
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.