The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to compel the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to order a retake of the English Language paper in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, Executive Director of Administration and Planning at NANS, the student body expressed deep concern over reports of serious lapses in the conduct of the English exam.
According to NANS, the examination was poorly administered, with alarming reports that some candidates sat for the paper late into the night, a practice that directly contradicts WAEC’s standard procedures.
The national student organization described the situation as “educational injustice” that threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s education system. It further warned that the handling of the exam could harm millions of hardworking students nationwide.
“NANS condemns in the strongest terms the uncoordinated and insecure conditions under which such a pivotal examination was conducted,” the statement said.
The call for a retake follows a public admission by the WAEC Head, Dr. Amos Dangut, who acknowledged that some WASSCE papers, including the English Language exam, were administered late at night — a clear violation of the council’s established standards.
NANS insisted that the already conducted English Language paper should be cancelled and a fresh examination mandated, stating that the way the paper was handled lacked credibility and failed to meet the required examination policies.
“The conduct and circumstances surrounding the paper lack the credibility expected of such a critical examination, and thus cannot be relied upon for valid assessment,” the student body said.
NANS also raised concerns over reported leaks and circulation of English Language questions before the exam, which it said contributed to the irregularities and cast doubt on the fairness of the process.
The student group emphasized that these security breaches not only damage WAEC’s reputation but also undermine the trust Nigerians place in the examination system.
It warned that if these issues are not addressed, the result could be a high failure rate, which would be a national embarrassment and an insult to both the examining body and the Nigerian education system.
The statement urged WAEC to avoid any actions that could further damage its credibility or that of the country’s education system.
“Policy abuse, carelessness, and disregard for established procedures must not be tolerated,” NANS added.
In light of the situation, NANS called on the Federal Government and the Minister of Education to intervene swiftly by launching a thorough investigation into the examination’s conduct.
The student body demanded that the government mandate a complete retake of the English Language paper to restore confidence in the process and uphold justice for students who have prepared diligently.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) stands unwavering in defence of academic excellence, transparency, and students’ welfare. We will not fold our arms while the future of our students and our nation is put at risk by negligence and malpractice,” the statement warned.
NANS further urged WAEC to implement immediate reforms to prevent a recurrence of such irregularities in future examinations.
Failure to address these concerns, the group warned, may spark a nationwide mobilisation of students to protest what they described as “educational injustice.”
The English Language paper is one of the most critical components of the WASSCE, a key examination for secondary school students in Nigeria and other West African countries. The exam’s results determine students’ eligibility for higher education and affect their future career opportunities.
In recent years, WAEC has faced increasing scrutiny over examination malpractice and security lapses. The conduct of the 2025 English Language exam, with reported late-night sittings and question leaks, has added to these concerns and intensified calls for reforms.
WAEC’s reputation as a credible examining body is crucial for the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and the value of its certificates both at home and abroad.
