ASABA: The Delta State Government has responded to a viral video circulating on social media that shows students at Unity Model Secondary School in Asaba writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) under torchlight.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, May 22, 2025, and has since drawn widespread criticism and concern from parents, educators, and the general public.
In an official statement, the Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, expressed serious concern over the logistical failure that led to the late arrival of examination materials at the school.
According to Mrs. Ezewu, the physics question papers did not arrive until nearly four hours after the scheduled start time, forcing students to complete their examination under poor lighting conditions.
Mrs. Ezewu emphasized that while the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) operates independently, the Delta State Government has a responsibility to protect the interests and well-being of its students.
She stressed the importance of timely and efficient logistics in the conduct of public examinations, especially in a sensitive period like the WASSCE season.
Fresh Angle International reports that the affected students, who were left waiting for hours, eventually began their exam late in the evening with limited lighting.
The viral video has sparked nationwide outrage, raising questions about the preparedness and efficiency of WAEC in managing logistics across Nigeria.
The Commissioner reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to improving education standards and student welfare. She called on WAEC to take immediate action to prevent similar issues in future examinations.
Mrs. Ezewu noted that while Delta State does not control the execution of WAEC examinations, the government will continue to advocate for better treatment of its students.
The well-being of our students is non-negotiable. Incidents like this are unacceptable and must be addressed with urgency by the examination body, she stated.
The video has continued to trend on social platforms, with many Nigerians demanding accountability from WAEC.
Stakeholders in the education sector are urging for reform in examination logistics to avoid such delays and ensure fairness and proper learning conditions for all students.