Rita Odafe
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced serious concerns regarding the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) due to the postponement of the English Language exam in the current Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
In a statement released on Thursday by Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, the National Public Relations Officer, it was highlighted that changing the exam time from 4 PM to 7 PM endangers the safety of students. The association emphasized that WAEC’s failures should not adversely affect the students.
“The leadership of NANS, under Comrade Olushola Oladoja, strongly criticizes WAEC for the unnecessary delay of the English paper on Wednesday, reportedly due to question leaks,” the statement noted.
“This situation has pushed the exam to an unreasonably late slot, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, reflecting a shocking lack of awareness and a serious negligence regarding the safety and welfare of Nigerian students, especially those residing in rural areas.”
“Scheduling exams so late not only puts students at risk—many of whom must traverse hazardous routes to reach exam sites—but also adversely affects their mental readiness and the overall integrity of the examination process.
“As a reputable examination authority, WAEC is expected to exemplify professionalism, readiness, and effectiveness. The recurring issues of question leaks highlight significant deficiencies in WAEC’s security protocols and operations. NANS contends that these shortcomings undermine the credibility of our education system and place an unfair burden on Nigerian students, who are already facing numerous struggles.
“We seek accountability and call on WAEC to identify and sanction all parties responsible for the question leaks. Stricter security measures must be established to avert similar incidents, utilizing technology and enhancing staff training to protect the integrity of examinations.
“Additionally, WAEC should publicly apologize to all students and their families for the distress and inconvenience caused by this situation. It is crucial to implement measures that ensure the safety of students traveling late from exam centers, especially those in less accessible areas.
“The future education of our students should not be compromised by administrative shortcomings or institutional carelessness. WAEC is urged to take swift and effective action to restore confidence and prevent recurrence of such issues. NANS will continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students and will not hesitate to escalate the matter should immediate and concrete measures not be implemented.”
