WAEC: Why Papers Were Delayed Till Late Night

The 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) descended into chaos on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as a leakage of the English Language Essay Paper 1 triggered widespread delays across Nigeria, forcing thousands of secondary school students to write exams late into the night under dire conditions.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) attributed the disruption to its efforts to curb examination malpractice, but logistical failures, power outages, and insecurity amplified the crisis, sparking outrage among students, parents, and educators.

As Nigeria prepares for a full transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2026, questions linger about whether this shift will resolve such systemic issues.

Why the WASSCE English Paper Was Delayed

The English Language Paper 1, a compulsory component of the WASSCE, was marred by an alleged leakage of the essay questions, prompting WAEC to take drastic measures to protect the examination’s integrity.

In a statement issued on May 29, 2025, WAEC spokesperson Moyosola Adeshina confirmed that the council reprinted and redistributed new question papers to counter the leak, a process that caused significant logistical setbacks.

“Our focus on curbing question paper leakage unintentionally led to delays in the smooth running of the paper.”

Adeshina said, noting that the council achieved its objective of safeguarding the exam’s credibility but at the cost of timely delivery

The impact was felt across multiple states, including Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Kwara, and Benue.

In Lagos, the objective paper, originally scheduled for 9:30 a.m., commenced at 11:30 a.m., with the essay paper starting at 4:55 p.m. and ending at 6:55 p.m.

In Ibadan, schools such as Oba Akinbiyi High School, Ibadan Boys High School, and Vale College reported the essay paper beginning at 5:30 p.m., while in Ilorin, question papers arrived past 4:00 p.m., pushing exam start times to 7:00 p.m. or later.

In Benue, some centers saw students writing as late as 11:00 p.m.

A WAEC supervisor in Lagos, speaking anonymously, revealed that supervisors were forced to wait for the delayed delivery of reprinted papers, exacerbating the disruption

Dr. Kayode Adeyemi, National Secretary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), attributed the delays to WAEC’s logistical challenges, noting that most schools were unprepared for such a setback.

“Schools with electricity supply might not have faced significant challenges, but those without alternative power sources struggled to finish before it was dark,” Adeyemi said, highlighting the uneven impact across centers.

In Ilorin, Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, clarified that the delay was not a state-level issue but a result of WAEC’s need to reprint papers, describing it as an “unusual occurrence” unprecedented in the state’s examination history

Impacts on Student, Parents, and Educators

The late-night exams were compounded by power outages in many centers, forcing students to rely on mobile phone flashlights and headlamps to complete their papers.

In Ilorin’s Adewole area, Mubarak Akande, whose sister was a candidate, described a harrowing scene:

“I walked into the school around 7:00 p.m. and saw students writing in a dark classroom using flashlights. Imagine anyone with a sight defect there. I’m livid.”

Similar reports emerged from Osun, where students wrote until 9:00 p.m., and Benue, where exams extended to 11:00 p.m. under torchlight.

Insecurity added another layer of concern, as many exam centers were located in areas with known safety risks.

Parents expressed fears for their children’s safety, noting that teenagers traveling home late at night were vulnerable.

A parent at Vale College in Ibadan criticized the lack of communication from WAEC, stating,

“The gap between the first and second papers was too long, and no tangible reason was given other than logistics.
This is unfair for a compulsory subject like English.”

Another parent in Osun, Julius Olufemi, echoed these sentiments, arguing that WAEC should have postponed the exam to a later date rather than endangering students.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued a press release condemning the “inhumane conditions” and called for a thorough investigation into WAEC’s handling of the situation.

The crisis sparked a firestorm on social media, particularly on X, where Nigerians voiced their anger and demanded accountability.

An X user, @trendingblog247: confirmed that the delays were due to WAEC reprinting questions after the leak, resulting in “unfavorable writing conditions.”

@Beta9ja1: suggested that WAEC should have collaborated with JAMB to use CBT centers and postponed the exam, stating, “You would have eliminated malpractice.”

@izak_black: an exam officer, corroborated the leakage as the cause, noting that WAEC’s decision to change questions led to the delays.

Meanwhile, @MrLekanAdigun: praised the government’s push for CBT by 2026, calling it a step toward reform.

x user @Uncle_Dips: shared a personal account of his son’s ordeal, emphasizing the stress caused by the disruption.

The sentiment on X reflects deep frustration with WAEC’s recurring logistical failures, with users describing the situation as “disgraceful” and “beyond incompetence.” Many called for systemic reforms.

Will CBT come to rescue for WAEC Examinations?

In response to persistent issues like question leaks, the Nigerian government has mandated a full transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC and NECO examinations by May/June 2026.

Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, during a monitoring exercise in Abuja on April 28, 2025, announced that objective papers will be administered via CBT starting November 2025, with essay components included by 2026.

“If JAMB can conduct CBT exams for over 2.2 million candidates, WAEC and NECO can do the same,” Alausa said, emphasizing that CBT would eliminate malpractices like leaks.

WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, previously noted that the council’s inaugural CBT-WASSCE for private candidates in 2024, which involved over 8,000 participants, was a success, paving the way for broader adoption.

The shift to CBT is expected to address vulnerabilities associated with physical question papers, such as leaks, by using encrypted digital formats and biometric verification.

WAEC has already introduced measures like unique question sets for each candidate in the 2025 WASSCE to deter malpractice, but the recent leakage shows that paper-based systems remain susceptible.

Additionally, CBT’s automated scoring and real-time surveillance could enhance security and efficiency, as seen in JAMB’s model, which has reduced cheating through robust digital infrastructure.

However, significant challenges loom. Alausa admitted on May 28, 2025, that Nigeria may not be fully equipped with the necessary infrastructure by November 2025, particularly in remote areas.

“Are we going to be ready to provide every single needed infrastructure? Absolutely not. But we have to challenge ourselves,” he said during a CBT exam monitoring session in Abuja.

The recent WASSCE incident, where students wrote in darkness due to power outages, underscores the critical need for reliable electricity and computer facilities.

Ike Onyechere, founding chairman of Exam Ethics Marshals International, warned that 67% of Nigeria’s secondary schools function as “exam magic centres,” highlighting the scale of infrastructure and integrity challenges.

Concerns also arise about student and teacher readiness. An X user from northern Nigeria, @ChuksEricE
, expressed worry that many students and teachers lack computer literacy, which could hinder performance in a CBT environment.

Another X user, @Naija_PR
, noted, “The Federal Government’s directive for CBT by 2026 is ambitious, but we need to see action on the ground.” For now, the 2025 WASSCE candidates, who endured hours of waiting and wrote under torchlight, are left hoping that future examinations will prioritize their welfare and safety.

A committee reviewing examination standards is expected to submit recommendations by June 2025, potentially addressing these gaps through investments in digital infrastructure, training programs, and power solutions.

Future Outlook

The 2025 WASSCE English Language paper delay exposed deep-rooted issues in Nigeria’s examination system, from question leaks to logistical failures and inadequate infrastructure.

WAEC’s apology and commitment to collaborate with security agencies to prevent future leaks are positive steps, but they do little to assuage the immediate frustration of candidates and parents.

The transition to CBT by 2026 offers hope for a more secure and efficient system, but its success hinges on addressing Nigeria’s power crisis, equipping schools with computers, and ensuring digital literacy for all stakeholders.

The government’s push for reform, as seen in Alausa’s directives and the ongoing standards review, signals a commitment to change.

However, without urgent investment in infrastructure and contingency planning, the shift to CBT risks replicating the same logistical failures seen in 2025.