*Exam At Night, A National Disgrace, Says Atiku
THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has apoligised for the late night conduct of its examinations this year in several centres across the country, blaming the delay in the conduct of the 2025 English Language paper on Wednesday, May 28 on increased efforts to curb examination malpractice, particularly the leakage of question papers.
This came as Nigerians continue to knock the Council for the lapses, which were first brought to public attention last week in a viral video showing students sitting for exams in dark classrooms using flashlights and kerosene lanterns at a centre in Asaba, the Delta State capital, following delayed arrival of papers.
This year’s WASSCE started on April 24 and is scheduled to end on June 20.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 29, WAEC acknowledged disruption experienced by candidates during the English Language Paper 2 scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, but held several hours behind schedule in many centres across the country.
Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said WAEC commitment to protecting the integrity of the examination contributed significantly to the delay, noting: “While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.
“While we successfully achieved our objective, it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.”
It pointed to other compounding factors, such as logistical challenges, security concerns and socio-cultural dynamics, as disrupting operations in some areas.
To prevent a recurrence, WAEC said it was working with security agencies to streamline the process and improve operational efficiency in subsequent exams.
The examination body apologised to students, schools and parents for the inconvenience caused by the disruption, thanking all stakeholders for their understanding during what it described as a “challenging period.”
It reaffirmed commitment to upholding the integrity of its examinations and promoting academic excellence across the region.
In their reactions, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, descibed the scenario as a “national disgrace,” while the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies invited WAEC to appear before it on Friday, May 30, to address concerns surrounding the ongoing examination, just as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) criticised the delay in the conduct of English Language examination.
Atiku, in a statement, called for an immediate action to address the systemic failures in Nigeria’s education sector, saying: “This is not merely an unfortunate incident; it is a damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education.
“It is unacceptable, unjustifiable and utterly indefensible that in 2025, our children are forced to write critical national exams in pitch darkness like second-class citizens.
“Examination preparedness is a shared responsibility between students and the examination authorities. In this case, it is glaringly evident that the latter has failed spectacularly in their duty.
“I, therefore, demand, unequivocally, that the affected examination paper be retaken in all compromised centres. Anything less would be a grave injustice to the students whose futures hang in the balance.
“Going forward, it is imperative that relevant authorities establish and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all high-stakes national examinations.”
Chairman of the Reps Committee, Oboku Oforji, who gave WAEC 24 hours to appear, recalled that the body had failed honour an earlier invitation to appear before the committee after it was invited to provide explanations over widespread complaints and irregularities observed during the examinations.
Oforji, in a statement, expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence at the earlier scheduled hearing, describing it as unacceptable, given the scale of public outcry over the conduct of the exams.
He stated: “The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We have received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country.
“The House felt it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing.
“However, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in the ongoing exams. Ironically, this is the very reason we are asking them to appear.”
NANS, in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, said: “We strongly condemn WAEC over the undue delay of the English Language paper on Wednesday, allegedly due to the leakage of examination questions.
“This development, which resulted in the postponement of the examination to an absurdly late period of 4p.m. to 7p.m., demonstrates a shocking level of insensitivity and a gross disregard for the safety and well-being of Nigerian students, particularly those in rural communities.
“The decision to hold examinations at such late hours not only endangers students, many of whom must navigate unsafe routes to and from examination centres, but also disrupts their psychological preparedness and undermines the integrity of the process.
“WAEC, as a long-standing examination body, is expected to be a beacon of professionalism, preparedness and efficiency. The repeated incidents of examination paper leakage are a clear indication of systemic failures in WAEC’s security measures and operations.
“NANS strongly believes that these lapses tarnish the credibility of our educational system and unfairly burden Nigerian students, who are already grappling with numerous challenges.”
