The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education have been slammed with a ₦100 billion lawsuit over the alleged inhumane conduct of the 2025 WASSCE English Language examination, which reportedly saw students writing papers in dark, unsafe conditions late into the night.
Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Evans Ufeli, filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos on behalf of affected students, calling the exercise a gross violation of fundamental human rights, citing the 1999 Constitution, the Child Rights Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Unsafe Exam Conditions Spark Legal Battle
- In the suit, Ufeli is demanding:
- A re-sit of all affected exams under proper and secure conditions.
- ₦100 billion in damages for the alleged trauma and rights violations.
- A public apology and a review of WAEC’s logistics and planning system.
The lawyer described how thousands of students were forced to write exams as late as 8pm, in centres without electricity, poor lighting, inadequate security, and overall chaotic conditions.
“These actions violate the rights to life, dignity, and fair hearing. The students were placed in psychologically damaging and physically unsafe environments,” Ufeli stated in his court filing.
Accusations Against WAEC and the Ministry of Education
The lawsuit targets both WAEC and the Ministry of Education, accusing them of:
- Administrative negligence
- Logistical failure
- Gross indifference to the welfare of Nigerian students
Ufeli insisted that no justification—whether related to security threats or malpractice concerns—can excuse the poorly coordinated midnight exams that allegedly endangered students.
“This is a monumental failure of planning. The future of an entire generation cannot be sacrificed on the altar of WAEC’s inefficiency,” he said.
Call for Urgent Educational Reform
- Along with the ₦100bn damages, the suit is seeking:
- A court declaration that WAEC’s exam process violated constitutional rights.
- A mandatory rescheduling of the English Language exam at no extra cost to students.
- A comprehensive overhaul of WAEC’s exam planning system to prevent a repeat of the crisis.
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Ufeli emphasized that the issue goes beyond just one exam paper—it reflects deeper systemic failures in Nigeria’s education sector, and he called on all stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to take swift action.
No Hearing Date Yet
No official date has been set for the hearing. However, the lawsuit has sparked national conversations, with civil society groups and parents demanding accountability from WAEC and justice for affected students.
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