Students taking the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in some states in Nigeria sat the English Language Paper 2 under darkness as late as 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, which continued past 12:00 a.m. on Thursday.

It was also gathered that some secondary school students in states began taking the exam between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., although the paper was originally slated for 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Viral videos shared by parents online showed students using torches and candles to read and answer questions as there was no provision for electricity.

Meanwhile, the West African Examinations Council has apologised to candidates, schools and parents for the unsavoury situation.

A spokesperson for WAEC, Moyosola Adeshina, in a statement on Wednesday, said that its attempts to prevent the leakage of question papers and protect the integrity of the examination, coupled with logistical hurdles, security concerns, and sociocultural factors, caused the delays.

“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” said WAEC.

The apology followed public outrage over the exam body’s ineptitude.

“My sister got home after 10 PM yesterday from writing WAEC. Please, when did WAEC start conducting exams at night? What kind of incompetence is this, risking the lives of children who have to go home late at night?” a netizen, Adebayo Emmanuel, said on X.

@_Divine_Clement said, “Students are currently writing WAEC Exam at Night With Torchlight in all 16 Local Gov’t area of Taraba State,” while @eemmanuels4 wrote, “Students are writing their WAEC exams as late as 9:23 PM. And many of these schools lack a reliable power supply. How are students managing to cope with writing their exams under such conditions?”

@_chiefagbabiaka wrote, “What is happening?…. WAEC exam at night. Which kind thing be this? Outrage as late arrival of @waecnigeria materials ‘force’ candidates to write Examination at night. As of the time of filing this report, no school in Ejigbo and Obokun Local Governments have commenced the examination.”

“Meanwhile, students of MOLEK Islamic Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, and Osogbo Grammar School started at about 20:00hrs. Parents and Guardians were seen at the entrance of the schools awaiting their wards,” he added.

“This is not a photo from a movie, let it be known that some SS3 students wrote WAEC at about 12 AM last night. We are waiting for your root cause WAEC!” @ibikun_tayo wrote.

@Blueflamesq wrote, “Students seen writing WAEC by 12 am , who we offend for this country ? Ahh,” while @hardguyyy01 said, “Students are currently writing WAEC by 11 p.m in Taraba. it’s unfair, considering the current state of the country, with no security, poor infrastructure, and a general lack of concern for student welfare and safety. @waecnigeria we need an explanation to this @ArewaTwiter.”

“WAEC candidates in Warri and Asaba are still stranded at their centers, waiting to write English Theory since 2PM. It’s now almost 9PM. No invigilators, no papers, no info. These kids left home since morning. This is heartbreaking and shameful! No institution in Nigeria works,” stated @AfamDeluxo.