Students sitting for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in several states across Nigeria were forced to write their English Language Paper 2 under extremely difficult conditions, as late as 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with some continuing past midnight into Thursday.
The paper, which was originally scheduled for 12:00 p.m., reportedly began between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in many centres. Viral videos shared online by concerned parents and observers showed students hunched over their exam scripts, using torches and candles to write due to the lack of electricity at the examination venues.
In response to the situation, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) issued an apology to candidates, parents, and schools. In a statement released on Wednesday, WAEC spokesperson Moyosola Adeshina attributed the delays to logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural factors. She noted that these issues stemmed from the council’s efforts to prevent question paper leaks and protect the integrity of the examination process.
“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” the statement read.
The incident triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning WAEC’s handling of the examination and the risks imposed on students.
A user on X (formerly Twitter), Adebayo Emmanuel, said, “My sister got home after 10 PM yesterday from writing WAEC. Please, when did WAEC start conducting exams at night? What kind of incompetence is this, risking the lives of children who have to go home late at night?”
Another user, @_Divine_Clement, claimed that students in all 16 local government areas of Taraba State were writing their WAEC exams at night using torchlights, while @eemmanuels4 questioned how students were coping in schools without electricity.
@_chiefagbabiaka wrote, “What is happening? WAEC exam at night. Which kind thing be this? Outrage as late arrival of WAEC materials forced candidates to write examinations at night. As of the time of filing this report, no school in Ejigbo and Obokun Local Governments have commenced the examination.”
In Osogbo, students of MOLEK Islamic Comprehensive High School and Osogbo Grammar School reportedly started their exams at about 8:00 p.m., with parents seen waiting at the school gates.
One user, @ibikun_tayo, posted a picture of students writing under torchlight and stated, “This is not a photo from a movie, let it be known that some SS3 students wrote WAEC at about 12 AM last night. We are waiting for your root cause WAEC!”
@Blueflamesq added, “Students seen writing WAEC by 12 am, who did we offend in this country?” while @hardguyyy01 criticized the conditions under which students were forced to write, citing insecurity, poor infrastructure, and general neglect of student welfare.
Another user, @AfamDeluxo, said students in Warri and Asaba had been stranded since 2:00 p.m., waiting to write the exam with no invigilators, no exam materials, and no information from authorities as of 9:00 p.m.
The situation has raised serious concerns about WAEC’s planning and logistics, with many Nigerians calling for immediate reforms and accountability to prevent such an incident from happening again.
