- Safiu Kehinde
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has denied cancelling the English Language paper written by candidates of the 2025 West African Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This was in reaction to a statement purportedly issued by the council on Friday, declaring the cancellation of the examination over the controversies surrounding its conduct.
NPO Reported that WAEC had on Wednesday 28th of May forced candidates across Nigeria to sit for the examination late in the evening following nationwide delay in arrival of the paper across examination centres.
With the examination commencing around 9pm, the candidates were made to write with candles, mobile phone flashlights, and other alternative sources of energy due to darkness.
Concerned parents and guardians stormed some of the centres as they kept watch for their wards.
This had sparked reactions from the public who condemned WAEC’s insistence on conducting on examination under such condition.
While the council had since broken silence over the incident, citing alleged leakage of the paper as cause for the delay, WAEC would again issue a statement on Tuesday to debunk the claim that the examination had been cancelled.
According to the statement signed by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the claim did not emanate from the WAEC.
“The management of the West African Examinations Council would like to state that the press release being circulated did not emanate from the council.
“The said examination has not been cancelled,” the statement partly read.
WAEC noted that its communication with the public is strictly through verified channels, adding that the alleged cancellation was peddled by mischief makers.
It urged the general public, including candidates, parents, and schools, to dismiss the unverified information and rely solely on official communication.
“The council is certain that the false claim is being peddled by mischief-makers who are bent on bringing the council to disrepute, to cause confusion and panic for candidates who sat the examination.
“All pieces of information from the council are disseminated via our official and verified social media handles, as well as accredited media platforms across the country.
“In the same vein, all press releases are issued and signed by the Public Affairs Department of the Council on behalf of the Head of National Office,” it stated.