NANS Condemns WAEC Over Delay of English Examination, Cites Risk to Pupils’ Safety

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the delay in conducting the English Language paper in the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, criticised the postponement of the examination from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., describing the decision as one that endangered pupils’ safety and well-being.

Ajasa stated that the delay, reportedly due to a leakage of examination questions, should not have impacted the candidates. He said WAEC’s handling of the situation reflected “a shocking level of insensitivity and a gross disregard for the safety and welfare of Nigerian pupils, particularly those in rural communities.”

“The National Association of Nigerian Students, under the leadership of Comrade Olushola Oladoja, strongly condemns the undue delay of the English Language paper on Wednesday. The decision to conduct the examination as late as 7:00 p.m. placed candidates at risk, many of whom must travel along insecure routes to and from examination centres,” the statement read.

NANS further argued that the development disrupted pupils’ psychological preparedness and undermined the credibility of the examination process. It noted that WAEC, as an established examining body, ought to be a model of professionalism, preparation, and efficiency.

The association described the reported leakage of the examination paper as further evidence of systemic lapses within WAEC’s security architecture.

“The repeated incidents of examination paper leakage are a clear indication of systemic failures in WAEC’s security measures and operations. These lapses tarnish the credibility of our educational system and unfairly burden Nigerian pupils, who are already grappling with numerous challenges,” Ajasa stated.

NANS called for accountability, urging WAEC to identify and sanction all individuals or groups responsible for the breach. It further demanded the implementation of stricter security protocols, including the use of technology and enhanced staff training, to forestall future occurrences.

The association also insisted that WAEC must issue a public apology to affected candidates and their families while putting in place measures to ensure the safety of pupils returning home late, especially those residing in remote communities.

“The academic future of our pupils must not be jeopardised by administrative inefficiencies or institutional negligence,” the statement added. WAEC must take immediate and decisive action to rebuild public trust. NANS remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian students and will not hesitate to escalate this matter if tangible actions are not taken promptly.”