A Schedule That Endangers Students
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has blasted the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for shifting the Senior Secondary School English Language paper to 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
According to Adeyemi Ajasa, the NANS National PRO, holding an exam that late “shows gross disregard for student safety, especially in rural areas where transport is scarce and roads are unsafe after dark.”
Late Hours, Real-World Risks
Many secondary-school candidates must walk long distances or rely on commercial motorcycles to reach home. After sunset, those routes become hotspots for robbery and assault. In addition, Nigeria’s patchy power supply means some centres sit in near-total darkness by 7 PM, further heightening risk.
“No exam body should put children in harm’s way simply to fix timetable glitches,” Ajasa said. “WAEC must remember that education should protect futures, not endanger them.”
Psychological Toll on Candidates
Safety is only one concern. NANS argues that a late-evening slot chips away at students’ mental focus. By 4 PM many have been awake since dawn, revising under stress. Hunger, fatigue, and anxiety escalate as daylight fades, undermining both performance and the exam’s credibility.
Paper Leak Deepens the Crisis
Compounding the scheduling uproar, NANS cited a fresh leak of the English paper as proof that WAEC’s security systems “are riddled with holes.” Ajasa noted that repeated leaks do not merely tarnish WAEC’s image; they cast doubt on every result issued.
“Students already battle high costs, insecurity, and unstable school calendars,” he said. “Adding leaks and last-minute timetable changes is intolerable.”
Five Immediate Demands from NANS
To restore public trust, NANS outlined a clear five-point action plan:
Accountability: Identify, prosecute, and publicly name all parties involved in the leak.
Tighter Security: Adopt real-time item tracking, blockchain-style encryption, body-worn cameras, and tamper-evident packaging for exam scripts.
Safe Timetables: End all evening papers unless unavoidable; any late-session must come with transport arrangements and lighting at every centre.
Public Apology: Issue a formal apology to students and parents for the stress and danger created.
Stakeholder Dialogue: Convene a round-table with NANS, school principals, and security agencies to design a student-centred examination framework.
Warning of Escalation
NANS pledged to “escalate the matter” through peaceful protests and legal action if WAEC fails to act swiftly. The association also urged state governments to provide emergency transport and security patrols until a new timetable is released.
A Call to Put Students First
WAEC, founded in 1952, has long been seen as the gold standard for West African secondary-school assessment. Yet NANS insists that reputation alone is not enough. Only decisive reforms—backed by transparency—can safeguard the millions of young Nigerians whose futures hinge on a credible certificate.
“Our students deserve an exam process that is safe, fair, and free of scandal,” Ajasa concluded. “Anything less is an injustice to the next generation.
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