Students at Unity Modern School in Asaba, Delta State, were forced to write their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) using phone torchlights on Thursday following a shocking four-hour delay in the delivery of exam papers and the absence of electricity.
The exam, scheduled for 2 p.m., reportedly didn’t begin until 6 p.m., plunging the hall into near darkness. A viral video from the scene showed invigilators holding up torchlights as students struggled to write their answers.
WASSCE is an examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) across six West African nations including Nigeria.
A voice in the footage lamented, “The paper that was supposed to start by 2 p.m., they brought it by 6 p.m. No electricity in the school. So, the students are using torchlights to write the WAEC exam in Unity Modern School, Asaba — not in a village, but in the state capital!”
Shockingly, the school is said to be less than a kilometre away from the WAEC office in Asaba. It is not immediately clear how closeby the custodial centre is to it.
The Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, condemned the situation and revealed that she had contacted WAEC officials to address the issue.
“WAEC exams are not state exams but federal,” she said. “However, I told them not to stress our students. Imagine students returning home late at night — it’s unacceptable.”
Human rights activist and Convener of the #OperationSaveNigerianChildrenCampaign, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, also criticized the ordeal, describing it as “disgraceful and a clear violation of children’s rights.”
“These students, some as young as 15, were subjected to inhumane conditions — a four-hour delay and forced to write in the dark without power,” Aghogho said. “It’s a blatant failure of Nigeria’s education system and a violation of the Child Rights Act, 2003.”
As criticism mounts, WAEC is yet to issue an official response.
FG Condemns ‘Torchlight’ WASSCE Exam in Asaba, Orders Investigation
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has condemned the disturbing incident describing it as “completely unacceptable.”
Reacting to the viral video the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, expressed outrage, vowing that those responsible would be held accountable.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, Dr. Alausa said the incident was a stark violation of standards and an indictment on the state education authorities.
“The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the conduct of an examination in an unsuitable environment, as seen in footage circulating on social media,” the minister was quoted as saying. “This reveals an inappropriate setting for such a critical academic exercise, and it occurred under the oversight of the Delta State Ministry of Education.”
He described the conditions as “deplorable and shameful,” especially for a national examination of such importance, and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for all assessments.
The minister added that the ministry is collaborating with the Delta State Government and WAEC to launch a thorough investigation. “The outcome of the investigation will be made public,” he assured.
Dr. Alausa further reaffirmed his commitment to educational reform, promising infrastructural upgrades and better supervision mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“This unfortunate occurrence highlights the urgent need for all stakeholders to recommit to upholding quality, equity, and dignity in Nigeria’s education system,” he said.
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