Netizens lament, first, JAMB glitch; now writing WAECE in darkness discouraging youths
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerians are lamenting how the glitch in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) announced earlier this month by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), combined with the current darkness forced on candidates by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), are further signs of a rapidly decaying country despite talk of hope.
Secondary school students across the land were forced to write the 2025 WAEC English language examination in the dark on Wednesday night, as widespread power cuts and growing insecurity marred the exercise.
Besides, in Taraba, the exam was disrupted and hundreds of pupils escaped death by the whiskers as rain collapsed poorly-built classrooms.
Multiple eyewitness accounts and viral videos shared on social media reported that the English paper, one of the most crucial subjects, was written at some centres as late as 9.45pm, and candidates had to use flashlights, lamps, and their phone torches to complete the exam in states such as Delta, Oyo, Benue, Osun, and Ogun.
The examination was scheduled for earlier on Wednesday but began in some schools at between 4pm and 7pm and ended in others around 9pm or later.
Reports suggest that delays at some centres might be due to suspected question leaks.
Nonetheless, there is widespread outrage on X (Twitter), with netizens decrying the conditions under which teenagers were made to write a key examination.
Below are a sample of the reactions:
@omolomo
“This is a school WAEC center in Nigeria currently; they’re writing WAEC right now,” he posted with videos and photos.
“It is 9:42 p.m., and these students are forced to use lamps to write their English WAEC exam in total darkness.”
“This is a live picture from another school. I’m not faking it up. It’s 9:45 p.m., students are writing English WAEC in this condition.”
Another X user
“Students in Nigeria are currently writing their WAEC exams under terrible conditions.
“Today, the English paper, which began at 8:00 p.m., is being conducted. Some students were reportedly asked to bring rechargeable lights to continue the exam. The exam is still on. This is 9:33 p.m.”
Another poster
“WAEC is keeping teenage students for hours now, waiting like fools. Till now English paper is yet to arrive. In 2025. In Nigeria.
“This is beyond incompetence. It is disgraceful. Heads must roll. Someone must be held accountable. We won’t keep normalizing this madness.”
Reports said some exams were conducted in zones flagged as unsafe, with students risking personal safety amid the growing threat of insecurity and poor infrastructure.
WAEC apologised in an official explanation following the outcry, saying certain challenges affected the smooth and timely delivery of materials.
This is not the first time Nigeria’s national exams have come under scrutiny this year alone.
In April, candidates who wrote the UTME were forced to leave their homes before dawn for the 6.30am start time, often without proper transportation or security assurances.
Darkness in another exam centre
Read also:
 announced last month by the Joint Admissions and ....){kind=link}