WAEC explains delay that led to late-night WASSCE exams across Nigeria

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says the delay in writing the 2025 English Language examination on Wednesday, May 28, was largely due to its heightened efforts to prevent examination malpractice.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, on Thursday, May 29, to The Cable, the examination body acknowledged the disruption experienced by candidates during the late conduct of Paper 2 of the English Language examination.

WAEC said its focus on curbing question paper leakage unintentionally led to logistical setbacks and delayed the smooth running of the paper.

“While we succeeded in safeguarding the examination materials, this inadvertently affected the timeliness and smooth execution of the process” the statement read

The examination body also cited other contributing factors, including logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural issues. It noted that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure that such delays do not recur in the future.

WAEC apologised to students, schools, and parents for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and thanked all stakeholders for their understanding during what it described as a “challenging period”.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of its exams and promoting academic excellence across the region.

“We understand the importance of conducting examinations on schedule, and recognise the impacts delays have on candidates, their schools, and their families,” Adesina added

The 2025 WASSCE English paper was scheduled for May 28, but was held hours behind schedule in several centres across the country, resulting in students writing in the night using candles and phone lights to aid their visibility.

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