Students taking the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in some states in Nigeria sat the English Language Paper 2 under darkness as late as 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with some exams continuing past 12:00 a.m. on Thursday. The students began taking the exam between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in some states, despite the paper being originally slated for 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Viral videos shared by parents online showed students using torches and candles to read and answer questions due to a lack of electricity, sparking widespread outrage and concern for the students’ safety.
The West African Examinations Council has apologized to candidates, schools, and parents, citing logistical hurdles, security concerns, and sociocultural factors that negatively impacted their operations, while attempting to prevent question paper leakage and protect the exam’s integrity. The council’s spokesperson, Moyosola Adeshina, explained that despite their best efforts, they encountered challenges that affected their operations.
The incident has raised questions about the examination body’s preparedness and ability to conduct exams smoothly. Many took to social media to express their frustration, with some questioning the safety of the students and others demanding explanations from WAEC.
The situation has also highlighted the challenges faced by students in Nigeria, particularly in terms of access to basic infrastructure such as electricity.
As the exams continue, it remains to be seen how WAEC will address the issues that led to the delayed start and ensure that the remaining papers are conducted without any hiccups.
The council’s apology has been met with skepticism by some, who demand more concrete actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
