Nigerian students sitting for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were forced to write their English Language paper in near-total darkness across several parts of the country on Wednesday, prompting public outrage and renewed concerns over educational standards, infrastructure, and student welfare in the country.
According to findings, some students wrote the crucial paper under blackout conditions and in insecure zones, relying on phone flashlights and rechargeable headlamps to complete their scripts.
The examination reportedly began around 7 p.m. in some schools and lasted until 9 p.m., while others started between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Unconfirmed reports point to alleged question leaks causing delays, although these claims have not been verified.
Mubarak Akande, whose sister is a candidate, recounted his disbelief at the situation he witnessed at her school in the Adewole area of Ilorin, Kwara State.
“I got to the school and saw all the students writing exams with flashlights and headlamps. The school was not properly illuminated. Imagine anyone with a sight defect there. I’m really livid,” he said.
Akande, who resides in the Olorunsogo area of Ilorin, described the classroom conditions as completely unacceptable for an academic exercise of this magnitude.
Images and videos of students writing exams in the dark have since gone viral, sparking a wave of criticism on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
One user posted, “Students in Nigeria are currently writing their WAEC exams under terrible conditions. Today, the English paper, which began at 8:00 pm, is being conducted. Some students were reportedly asked to bring rechargeable lights to continue the exam. The exam is still on. This is 9:33 p.m.”
Another user vented frustration, writing, “WAEC is keeping teenage students for hours now, waiting like fools, till now English papers is yet to arrive. In 2025. In Nigeria. This is beyond incompetence. It is disgraceful. Heads must roll. Someone must be held accountable. We won’t keep normalizing this madness.”
As of the time this report was filed, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had yet to issue any official response or explanation.
