Students Forced to Write WASSCE English Exam in Darkness Sparks National Outrage

Thousands of Nigerian students were forced to write their WASSCE English exam late at night using flashlights due to power outages and delays, sparking nationwide outrage over exam mismanagement, poor infrastructure, and insecurity, with WAEC apologizing but facing calls for accountability.

Thousands of Nigerian secondary school students were forced to sit for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) English Language paper late into the night under unsafe and poorly lit conditions, prompting widespread outrage across the country.

Reports from multiple states including Delta, Oyo, Benue, Osun, and Ogun revealed that students had to rely on lamps, flashlights, and phone torches to write the exam as late as 9:45 p.m. Viral photos and videos circulating on social media showed students hunched over desks in near-total darkness, struggling to complete what is considered one of the most critical subjects in their academic careers.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the exams, originally scheduled for earlier in the day, were delayed until the evening, with some schools starting between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The reasons for the delays remain unclear, though unverified reports suggest they may have been due to suspected question leaks or logistical failures.

“This is a live picture from another school. It’s 9:45 p.m. and students are still writing English WAEC using lamps. This is 2025 in Nigeria,” one X user lamented.

Another user condemned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for mismanagement, calling the situation “disgraceful” and demanding accountability. “We won’t keep normalizing this madness,” the user wrote.

The disturbing reports triggered fierce criticism online, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief that students were subjected to such conditions, especially in areas plagued by insecurity and poor infrastructure.

In response, WAEC issued an apology, citing “unforeseen challenges” in the distribution and administration of exam materials. However, the apology did little to quell public anger.

This is not the first time Nigeria’s examination bodies have come under fire. Just last month, candidates sitting for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) were required to leave home before dawn to meet a 6:30 a.m. start time, often without transport or security.

The situation highlights systemic failures in Nigeria’s educational and infrastructural planning, with growing concerns over the safety, fairness, and credibility of high-stakes national examinations.

WAEC has yet to provide a full account of what led to the nighttime exams or what steps will be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEADERSHIP