* WAEC blames anti-malpractice measures for late-night examination
There was widespread confusion across several exam centres in Nigeria as candidates sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) faced hours-long delays in writing the English Language paper.
At multiple locations on Wednesday, the exam, scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, did not commence until midday.
In some centres, the last paper did not start until nightfall, with students in Lagos reportedly still writing as late as 11:45 pm under torchlight.
The disruption, which triggered anger among parents and sparked an online backlash, occurred in several southwestern states, including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun.
Some sources report that the paper was leaked online, prompting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to replace it at the last minute.
Responding to the incident, WAEC issued a statement apologising to candidates, parents, and schools.
Moyosola Adesina, acting head of public affairs, said the disruption was a result of intensified security efforts to prevent question leakage.
“While we successfully maintained the integrity of the examination, it impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the English Language paper,” the statement reads in part.
The council said it is working with security agencies to prevent future lapses.
WAEC blames anti-malpractice measures for late-night examination
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed the delay in the administration of the 2025 English Language paper to its heightened efforts to prevent examination malpractice.
In a statement on Thursday, the examination body acknowledged the disruption experienced by candidates during the conduct of Paper 2 of the English Language examination.
The 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates commenced on April 24 and is scheduled to conclude on June 20, 2025.
The 2025 WASSCE English paper was scheduled for May 28, but was held hours behind schedule in several centres across the country.
This resulted in late-night papers, with many students across the country groaning from waiting too long.
WAEC said its focus on curbing question paper leakage unintentionally led to logistical setbacks and delayed the smooth running of the paper.
“While we succeeded in safeguarding the examination materials, this inadvertently affected the timeliness and smooth execution of the process,” WAEC’s spokesperson Moyosola Adesina said.
The examination body also cited other contributing factors, including logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural issues.
It noted that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure that such delays do not recur in the future.
WAEC apologised to students, schools, and parents for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and thanked all stakeholders for their understanding during what it described as a “challenging period”.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of its exams and promoting academic excellence across the region.
“We understand the importance of conducting examinations on schedule, and recognise the impacts delays have on candidates, their schools, and their families,” Adesina added.
