WAEC Explains Why Students Wrote English Exam at Night — Vows to Prevent Future Delays
On May 28, many WAEC candidates across Nigeria were forced to write their English Language exam hours behind schedule. In some centres, the paper didn’t start until late in the evening. Students were seen writing under torchlight and even kerosene lanterns.
Photos and videos quickly went viral on social media, showing tired and frustrated students still answering questions as late as 10 p.m. The images sparked anger among parents and educators, who questioned how a national exam could be handled so poorly.
WAEC has now spoken out — and they say there’s more to the story.
What Really Happened?
According to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the delay was deliberate. In a statement released the next day, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, said the postponement was aimed at preventing exam leaks.
“We wanted to protect the integrity of the exam,” Adesina said. “That aim affected how fast we could carry it out.”
Other Factors That Caused Delays
Aside from trying to stop malpractice, WAEC highlighted several other problems that slowed things down:
- Difficulty moving exam materials across long distances
- Security concerns in some areas
- Local logistical challenges at individual centres
These combined to create major disruptions that left students waiting for hours.
WAEC Apologises and Promises Improvement
WAEC has apologised to students, schools, and parents for the inconvenience. Adesina acknowledged that while the council’s intentions were good, the outcome was unacceptable.
“We know how important this exam is to you. We didn’t mean to cause such trouble,” she said.
WAEC added that it is now working with security agencies and local partners to prevent such issues from happening again in upcoming exams.
More Exams Are Still Ahead
This year’s WAEC timetable runs from April 24 to June 20. With more subjects still to be written, all eyes are now on WAEC to see if it can deliver the remaining exams without further delays.
WAEC says it remains committed to fairness, security, and timely delivery. But many students and parents remain skeptical.
Final Thoughts
For students aiming for university admission and hoping to perform well in JAMB, every paper matters. Writing exams in the dark isn’t just inconvenient — it’s unfair and unnecessary.
WAEC now has the chance to rebuild public trust. The big question is: can they deliver on that promise?
You may also like to read: WAEC 2025 Timetable Released: Full Exam Schedule, Dates, and What Students Need to Know
