Atiku Labels WASSCE Exam Conditions A National Disgrace, Demands Retake

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the recent situation where Nigerian students were made to write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) under dark and unsuitable conditions, calling it a “national disgrace.”

This criticism comes as the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to WAEC, demanding they appear before the committee on Friday to explain issues related to the ongoing Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticized WAEC for delays in conducting the English Language exam during the ongoing SSCE.

In a statement, Atiku called for immediate corrective action to address the persistent failures in Nigeria’s education system. He said: “This is not just an unfortunate occurrence; it highlights a systemic failure to maintain basic standards in public education.

“It is unacceptable and indefensible that in 2025, students are forced to write crucial national exams in total darkness, as if they were second-class citizens.

“While exam readiness is a shared duty between students and exam bodies, it is clear that the latter has failed miserably in this instance.

“I therefore demand that the compromised exam papers be retaken at all affected centres. Anything less would be a serious injustice to the students whose futures depend on these exams.

“Moving forward, it is essential that authorities set and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all major national examinations.”