The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has issued a public apology to students, schools, and parents following the chaotic delay in administering the 2025 English Language Paper on Wednesday, May 28.

In a statement released Thursday, WAEC acknowledged that the Paper 2 section of the exam was conducted hours later than scheduled in several centres nationwide. The delay, the council explained, was part of a desperate effort to prevent question paper leaks and ensure exam integrity.

“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on the candidates, their schools, and parents,” said Moyosola Adesina, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs. “We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused.”

Despite the council’s intentions, the consequences were severe. Reports from multiple states, including Osun and Kwara, revealed that students were stranded in examination halls until midnight. A viral video even showed candidates using phone torchlights to complete their papers in the dark.

Some parents reported that their children had informed them of a question paper leak, which triggered the delay rather than prompting a cancellation or rescheduling.

The Federal Ministry of Education has strongly condemned the incident, calling it “completely unacceptable.”

In its apology, WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to exam integrity. “While we successfully achieved our objective of preventing any leakage,” the council stated, “it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.”

As outrage spreads, stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to prevent a repeat of such a scenario in future examinations.