Candidates sitting for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were compelled to write their English Language exam late into the night without electricity, relying on lanterns and mobile phone flashlights to see their papers.
Social media user Omolomo, who shared photos and videos on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that students at multiple exam centers in Delta State were still writing exams as late as 9:45 p.m. in near-total darkness.
“This is a school WAEC center in Nigeria currently. They’re writing WAEC right now. It is 9:42 p.m. and students are forced to use lamps to write their English WAEC exam in total darkness,” Omolomo wrote.
Other users across Nigeria corroborated the situation, reporting similar challenges in different locations. Some parents had to wait at school premises late into the night to accompany their children home after the delayed exams.
Festus Oluwafemi, a concerned observer, described the situation as “absolutely frustrating,” noting that the exam started late due to concerns about question leaks, pushing the schedule into the evening hours.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage online, drawing attention to the deteriorating state of educational infrastructure and power reliability in Nigeria. Many expressed concern about the fairness and safety of conducting high-stakes exams under such conditions.
This event highlights urgent calls for improvements in school facilities and better planning to ensure students can take exams in safe, well-lit environments.
