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In what can only be described as a disgraceful stain on Nigerian education sector, scenes emerged of students sitting their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) well into the dead of night—by lanterns and mobile phone flashlights. In 2025. In a country that claims to be the “giant of Africa.” Shame is an understatement.
According to many reports, across the country, candidates who were supposed to sit for their English Language paper at 2pm were forced—without explanation from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)—to wait for hours, ultimately doing their exam in pitch darkness. No power. No dignity. No protection. Just children, struggling to grasp exam questions in the dim glow of kerosene lanterns and dying batteries.
This is not just an operational error; it is a national disgrace.
How can a nation not be able provide a reliable exam schedule for its future leaders? How do we explain this to the world? To ourselves?
The call to cancel and reschedule the English paper is not just valid—it’s urgent and necessary. Forcing students to do exams under such deplorable conditions undermines the credibility of the exam and the integrity of the educational system. No student should be expected to perform academically in the same environment one would expect to hold a night vigil.
Nigerians React with Outrage
The fury on social media has been loud and clear. Nigerians, parents, and concerned citizens did not mince words:
Oj Gil De First: “A country where election result/winner is announced at night. What do you expect?”
Obus Henry: “Since the president was announced in the night, exam too na night dem go write am. Things usually happen at night when men are asleep.”
Akparawa Sunny Tom: “Writing examination in the dark in a country that is producing 2 million barrels of crude oil per day is something one cannot explain to the rest of the world.”
Christiana Obi: “Nigeria don go ooo… Even in Lagos too, writing exam at 7pm.”
Ahmed Hamajoda: “It’s now 11:40pm, I’m waiting to carry my daughter. From Adamawa, Maiha.”
Chimezie Felix: “Why will people write WAEC with candle light? What kind of exam is this?”
Jovita Uchenna Madu: “My cousin that stays with me finished hers by 8pm. I had to drive to school to go and pick her up this night. So unprofessional. Someone did not do their job.”
Innocent Best: “Here in Delta I saw some students on their way home with their school uniform on top okada this night, around after 9pm. I was just wondering what could be the reason. Nawaoo Naija with her educational system.”
Teryila Iorpuu: “This is how we wrote Maths in 2005 and the result was very bad.”
Longinus Nwenyim: “How did I become a Nigerian?”
Moshood Abdulquadri said, “Instead of allowing students going the stress, WAEC should have cancelled the exam for the day and reschedule for another day!
Abe Olumide Abiola wrote, “Little mistake in Nigeria, na tinubu cause am🤣, surprised how some people are blaming tinubu for the bad decision made by leadership of WAEC in not prosponing the theory aspects of english that was written late last night. Not considering the risks attached to such and the safety of the students, parents, loved ones makes no sense. Wishing the student success.”
If information flying around is anything to go by, I hope the body would fix out and punish several their staff that leaked the questions and subject thousands of students to this trauma!”
These are not just tweets and comments—they are cries of frustration from a people betrayed by the very institutions meant to build their future.
What WAEC Must Do
And still, silence from WAEC.
Where is the accountability? Where is the leadership? Where is the empathy?
This is not the first time Nigerian students have suffered due to poor planning and neglect, but it must be the last. These are not mere errors in logistics; they are acts of negligence that endanger lives and damage the psyche of our youth.
WAEC must be held accountable. An official explanation is non-negotiable. An apology is the least they can offer. But more importantly, a rescheduled, fair, and properly administered exam must be arranged immediately.
To our leaders—this is your mess. Own it. Fix it.
To WAEC—education is not a punishment. Exams should not feel like a sentence to suffering. Do better. The children of Nigeria deserve more. So much more.
Enough is enough.
