NANS Demands Retake of WASSCE English Paper over Widespread Irregularities
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is calling on the Federal Government to mandate the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to conduct a full retake of the 2025 English Language paper in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), citing serious irregularities that compromised the exam’s credibility.
In a statement released Tuesday and signed by Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, NANS Executive Director for Administration and Planning, the student body expressed deep concern over reports of late-night exam sessions, compromised supervision, and alleged question leakages. These violate standard examination procedures and endanger the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
The group referenced public remarks made by WAEC’s Head, Dr. Amos Dangut, acknowledging that the late-night administration of some exam papers was inconsistent with the council’s standards. NANS described this as a form of “educational injustice” and a direct threat to millions of hardworking students.
NANS reiterated that the entire conduct of the English Language paper lacks the credibility expected of such a critical national assessment; therefore, the results “cannot be relied upon for valid evaluation.”
The student body further warned that if the exam is not cancelled and re-administered, it would amount to a “national embarrassment” and could potentially lead to widespread failure, eroding trust in both WAEC and Nigeria’s education system.
The student body is now urging the Minister of Education and the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately launch an independent investigation into the matter and take firm action, including ordering a mandatory retake of the English Language exam.
NANS reiterated its commitment to defending academic integrity, transparency, and student welfare. The group emphasized that WAEC should take decisive action to correct these failures and implement systemic reforms to prevent similar issues in the future.
