The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed the delay in the 2025 English Language exam held on Wednesday, May 28, to intensified measures aimed at preventing examination malpractice.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 29, by its spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC acknowledged that the delay affected the smooth conduct of Paper 2, which many candidates ended up writing late into the night.
According to the statement, WAEC’s efforts to prevent question paper leakage played a major role in the delay.
“While we succeeded in safeguarding the examination materials, this inadvertently affected the timeliness and smooth execution of the process,” the statement read.
The council also pointed to additional factors such as logistical difficulties, security challenges, and socio-cultural dynamics. WAEC said it is working with security agencies to ensure such disruptions are avoided in future exams.
WAEC apologised to candidates, schools, and parents for the inconvenience and expressed appreciation for their patience and understanding during what it called a “challenging period.”
Reaffirming its dedication to the integrity of its examinations, the council stressed that it remains committed to academic excellence across the region.
“We understand the importance of conducting examinations on schedule, and recognise the impacts delays have on candidates, their schools, and their families,” Adesina added.
Though the English exam was scheduled for the afternoon of May 28, many centres across Nigeria didn’t begin the paper until late evening, with students forced to write under poor lighting conditions using candles and phone flashlights.
