If you have been online recently, you probably saw the heartbreaking videos of Nigerian students writing their WASSCE papers in the dark, using phone flashlights and torches. For many parents and students, it was a frustrating and confusing situation. After days of silence, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has finally explained what went wrong.
According to a statement by WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the delays were not intentional but were caused by a “perfect storm” of tragedies and security challenges.
A Tragic Loss in Gombe
The biggest setback was a fatal road accident on the Gombe-Yola highway. Three dedicated WAEC officials, who were transporting sensitive examination materials, lost their lives when their vehicle collided with a truck. This loss didn’t just hurt the WAEC family; it threw the entire distribution schedule into chaos, especially for schools in the northern region.
Protests and Insecurity
In the southern part of the country, specifically Oyo State, and parts of Borno, things were also difficult. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) held protests over the recent abduction of schoolchildren. These protests, combined with general regional security fears, made it very difficult for officials to move exam papers safely and on time.
The “Torchlight” Exams
Last week was particularly tough for candidates. Many spent the whole day waiting for their Physics and General Mathematics papers. In some schools in Oyo State, the exams started so late that students had to finish under poor lighting, leading to the viral “torchlight” videos.
What is WAEC Doing Now?
WAEC says it has activated “emergency measures” to make sure this doesn’t happen again. They admitted that late registration by some schools and logistical hiccups also contributed to the mess. However, they assured everyone that the examinations held last Friday were much smoother and that they are working around the clock to keep things on track.
While we mourn the staff who died in the line of duty, many Nigerians are calling on WAEC to ensure that students are never again forced to write life-changing exams under such stressful conditions.
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