The Nigerian Senate has endorsed the dismissal of Ms. Sandra Nimi Harry, a senior official of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), following her involvement in a high-profile examination malpractice case.

 

The resolution came during Wednesday’s plenary after the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South).

 

Presenting the committee’s findings, Senator Imasuen revealed that Ms. Harry, who served as Head of the Scripts Room during a private WAEC exam in Port Harcourt, aided her colleague, Mr. Raymond Obi, in replacing original answer scripts with those of unregistered candidates. Obi reportedly confessed that Harry had shown him where the scripts were stored—allegedly acting on the instruction of another staff member, Mr. Joseph Pepple, who was familiar with the candidates involved.

 

Ms. Harry, who joined WAEC in 1992 and had served for 31 years, was dismissed on July 19, 2023, following investigations by three internal panels: the Panel of Enquiry, the Investigative and Disciplinary Committee, and the Nigeria Administrative and Finance Committee. All panels found her and two other staff members culpable and recommended dismissal.

 

Senator Garba Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South) strongly opposed any call for clemency, declaring:

 

“This woman has done great injustice to our children and to the credibility of WAEC certifications. She deserves no mercy. In fact, she should be prosecuted.”

 

 

 

Echoing this, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) labeled Harry’s actions an “atrocity,” insisting that such misconduct must not be tolerated in a functional society.

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio concluded the debate with a stern warning:

 

“This means that anyone who has put in more than 30 years and is preparing to retire can begin to commit fraud and tamper with examination scripts for monetary gains. That is unacceptable.”

 

 

 

By adopting the report, the Senate firmly supported WAEC’s disciplinary action and emphasized the need for stricter accountability measures to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.