Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the recent situation where Nigerian students were compelled to take the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) under inadequate and poorly lit conditions, describing it as a “national disgrace.”
In a related development, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to address concerns regarding the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has censured WAEC for delays in administering the English Language examination during the ongoing SSCE, further amplifying frustrations over the examination process.
He said: “This is not merely an unfortunate incident, it is a damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education.
“It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and utterly indefensible that in 2025, our children are forced to write critical national exams in pitch darkness like second-class citizens.
“Examination preparedness is a shared responsibility between students and the examination authorities. In this case, it is glaringly evident that the latter has failed spectacularly in their duty.
“I, therefore, demand, unequivocally, that the affected examination paper be retaken in all compromised centres. Anything less would be a grave injustice to the students whose futures hang in the balance.
“Going forward, it is imperative that relevant authorities establish and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all high-stakes national examinations.“
Reps give WAEC 24-hrs ultimatum to appear over ongoing exams
Chairman of the Committee, Oboku Oforji, issued the ultimatum, yesterday, following WAEC’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to appear before the panel.
According to Oforji, the committee had invited WAEC to provide explanations over widespread complaints and irregularities observed during the ongoing examinations.
In a statement, Oforji recalled that the committee extended an invitation to WAEC on May 27, 2025, seeking clarification on various issues disrupting the conduct of the exams across the country.
He expressed disappointment at WAEC’s absence during the scheduled hearing, yesterday, describing it as unacceptable given the scale of public outcry over the conduct of the exams.
“The examinations have been riddled with serious irregularities. We’ve received reports of students writing exams as late as midnight in some centres across the country.
“The House felt it necessary to summon WAEC to explain these developments and the trauma candidates are currently facing. However, WAEC responded this morning, saying they couldn’t appear due to their involvement in the ongoing exams. Ironically, this is the very reason we are asking them to appear.”