NANS Blasts WAEC Over Late-Night Exam Rescheduling and Leaked Papers

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has fiercely criticized the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for its recent decision to reschedule the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) English Language paper to a late evening period. The body called the move insensitive, accusing WAEC of neglecting student safety and contributing to growing insecurity and systemic failure in the nation’s educational framework.

The condemnation came through an official statement issued by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa. According to Ajasa, holding such a crucial examination between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. is not only unprecedented but also dangerous, especially for students living in rural areas or regions with poor security infrastructure.

WAEC’s Decision Raises Safety and Security Alarms

Ajasa highlighted that WAEC’s decision displayed a lack of foresight and understanding of the unique challenges Nigerian students face daily. “The decision to hold examinations at such late hours not only endangers students, many of whom must navigate unsafe routes to and from examination centres, but also disrupts their psychological preparedness and undermines the integrity of the process,” the statement read.

He added that this move risks student welfare, especially in communities where electricity, transportation, and security are unreliable. NANS emphasized that the scheduling was not only logistically flawed but also psychologically damaging, as students often require a stable and predictable environment to perform optimally in critical exams like the SSCE.

Ajasa further criticized WAEC’s apparent failure to foresee the implications of conducting national examinations at such a late hour. “WAEC, as a long-standing examination body, is expected to be a beacon of professionalism, preparedness, and efficiency,” he said.

Paper Leakage Points to Deeper Systemic Flaws

Beyond scheduling concerns, NANS raised alarm over recurring incidents of exam paper leaks, which have become a blight on WAEC’s reputation. Ajasa declared that repeated examination paper leakages signify severe lapses in WAEC’s internal security protocols. “These incidents tarnish the credibility of our educational system and unfairly burden Nigerian students, who are already grappling with numerous challenges,” he stated.

The student body is demanding that WAEC investigate the breaches and bring all culprits to justice. NANS insisted that the examination body must implement more rigorous security strategies, including the use of advanced technology and enhanced training for personnel involved in exam logistics.

Ajasa further noted that unless WAEC takes tangible steps to fix these recurring issues, public trust in its integrity will continue to erode. “Accountability is non-negotiable. The entire examination process must reflect transparency and trustworthiness,” he asserted.

Students Demand Apology, Reforms, and Better Safety Measures

As part of its demands, NANS has called on WAEC to issue a formal public apology to all students and families affected by the exam delay and the disorganized scheduling. The association stressed that the apology should be accompanied by a robust plan to prevent future occurrences, including practical measures to guarantee the safety of students returning home from evening exams.

“The academic future of our students must not be jeopardized by administrative inefficiencies or institutional negligence,” the statement emphasized. “WAEC must take immediate and decisive steps to rebuild trust and ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

NANS also highlighted the broader implications of the English Language exam debacle, stating that systemic problems in educational institutions can contribute to a national decline in academic standards and student morale.

A Warning from NANS: More Action May Follow

NANS concluded its statement with a stern warning to WAEC, stating that the student body will not hesitate to escalate the matter if reforms are not swiftly implemented. Ajasa reaffirmed NANS’s commitment to student welfare, asserting that no examination body should place logistical convenience above student safety and academic integrity.

The controversy surrounding WAEC’s scheduling and operational flaws has reignited a national conversation on the state of Nigeria’s examination systems. Many education stakeholders are now calling for an overhaul of WAEC’s operational procedures to restore public confidence in one of West Africa’s most respected education institutions.