Fresh outrage has erupted across Nigeria after thousands of candidates sitting for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were reportedly forced to write their English Language examination late into the night, with some students still in examination halls as late as 10 p.m.
Parents, education stakeholders, and civil society groups have condemned the development, describing it as a serious failure of planning that exposed candidates to hardship, insecurity, and emotional distress. Reports and viral videos from several examination centres showed students writing under poor lighting conditions, with some relying on rechargeable lamps, flashlights, and other improvised sources of illumination.
According to affected parents, many students left home early in the morning only to remain at examination centres throughout the day before eventually sitting for their papers late in the evening. Some parents reported waiting anxiously outside school premises for hours as concerns grew over the safety and welfare of their children.
The incident has renewed concerns about the state of Nigeria’s educational infrastructure and examination management. Education advocates argue that no student should be required to sit for a critical national examination under conditions that could affect concentration, performance, and safety.
Observers noted that prolonged delays, inadequate logistics, and poor coordination continue to undermine confidence in public examination systems. Many have called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the disruption and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The controversy has also reignited broader discussions about investment in education, school infrastructure, electricity supply, and student welfare.
For many Nigerians, the images of teenagers struggling to complete examinations in darkness represent more than an administrative failure; they symbolize the wider challenges confronting the nation’s education sector.
As public pressure mounts, stakeholders are demanding accountability and urgent reforms to protect the integrity of national examinations and the future of millions of Nigerian students.
