WAEC Finally Reacts As Candidates Write Examination in Darkness With Torchlight

• The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reacted after videos and photos of candidates writing English language papers in darkness flooded social media space
• Many parents and relatives took to social media to lament after their children failed to return home on time on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• The examination body has finally come out to explain the reason for the unfortunate incident that caused panic among many parents

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide

Lagos state - The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has apologised to students, schools, and parents for the inconvenience experienced during the English language papers.

Legit.ng earlier reported that WASSE candidates in different parts of Nigeria wrote their English language examination in darkness without electricity.

The examination which was slated for noon dragged into late at night on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

The examination body blamed the unfortunate incident on heightened efforts to curb examination malpractice, particularly the leakage of question papers.

WAEC thanked all stakeholders for their understanding during what it described as a “challenging period”.

WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

“While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.

“While we successfully achieved our objective, it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.”

Adesina said logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural dynamics are other factors that disrupted operations in some areas.

“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns, and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations.

“In order to forestall future occurrences of this nature, the council is currently collaborating with security agencies.”

FG gives fresh orders to JAMB, WAEC, NECO.

Recall that Legit.ng reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government issued a fresh directive to JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB over exam malpractice.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed the examination bodies to blacklist CBT centres and candidates found guilty of examination malpractices.

Alausa said schools/CBT centres found guilty of exam malpractice will be derecognised and student(s) involved in examination malpractice should be barred from external exams for three years.

WAEC: Man angry after sister returns by 10pm

Similarly, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man was surprised to see when his younger sister returned home after writing the WAEC English language paper.

The man said his sister returned home by 10 pm, making him wonder if the examination was scheduled to happen at night.

The man is not the only person complaining, as many Nigerians are calling out the examination body over lateness to exam centres.

Source: Legit.ng