Students sitting for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were captured writing their English Language paper under deplorable conditions late Tuesday night, sparking outrage across social media. A video posted by user @Omolomo_o on X (formerly Twitter) at 9:42pm showed students huddled over their answer booklets in pitch-black classrooms, relying on kerosene lanterns and mobile phone flashlights.
The footage, which has since gone viral, exposed the harsh reality many Nigerian students endure during national examinations. According to the post, the students were not only battling academic pressure but also the physical strain of poor lighting and power failure—a stark contrast to the standards expected of an internationally recognized examination like WAEC.
Nigerians have flooded the post with reactions, calling out WAEC and the Ministry of Education for negligence and for failing to provide basic infrastructure such as electricity and backup generators at designated examination centers. Many questioned how a paper as crucial as English Language could be conducted at night under such substandard conditions.
This incident reportedly occurred in a rural WAEC center in Nigeria, though the exact school name has yet to be confirmed. The viral images show some candidates visibly struggling to read their questions while shadows from their torches danced on classroom walls. Several educators and education advocates have since called for an immediate audit of WAEC centers nationwide.
The West African Examinations Council has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident. However, education rights groups are already drafting petitions and letters of inquiry to both the WAEC board and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education to demand answers and accountability.
This isn’t the first time WAEC has been under fire for logistical and infrastructural lapses. Over the years, reports of leaked questions, late commencement of papers, and poorly supervised exams have plagued its credibility. The current situation further reinforces calls for educational reform and modernization of exam administration in Nigeria.
As the video continues to trend online, parents, teachers, and concerned citizens are urging the government to prioritize the dignity and well-being of students, especially during high-stakes exams. Many see this event as a shameful symbol of the systemic decay in Nigeria’s public education infrastructure.
