The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), alode the Federal Ministry of Education, has been slammed with a massive N100 billion lawsuit over the conduct of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The suit centers around allegations of subjecting students to degrading and unsafe conditions, especially during the English Language exam, which some students reportedly wrote as late as 8pm under poor lighting and security.
The case was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos by prominent human rights lawyer Evans Ufeli, who is representing affected students across the country. Ufeli argues that WAEC and the Ministry failed in their constitutional and statutory obligations, thereby endangering the health, safety, and academic performance of young Nigerians sitting for a national exam.
According to the suit, candidates were made to wait long hours due to delays in the distribution of exam materials, with some examination centers experiencing total logistical breakdowns. Ufeli maintains that such actions amount to violations of the students’ rights under Sections 33 to 36 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as provisions of the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“The Respondents failed in their constitutional and statutory duties to protect students’ rights during a crucial national exam,” the court application reads. “This has caused widespread psychological trauma, disrupted academic performance, and exposed students to physical harm.”
In the legal filing, Ufeli seeks several remedies: a re-sit of all affected papers under humane and secure conditions, a public apology from WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education, and a court order mandating a full reform of the exam body’s planning and logistics strategy to prevent future occurrences.
He further contends that the prolonged delays and confusion on exam day violated students’ rights to dignity, fair hearing, and life, amounting to administrative negligence and abuse of authority. The lawyer is demanding N100 billion in general and exemplary damages to compensate the students for the emotional distress, trauma, and academic setbacks they have suffered.
“An order directing the Respondents to publicly apologise and undertake a comprehensive review of their examination logistics and contingency procedures,” the suit requests. “This case is not just about one exam paper—it is about the future of an entire generation.”
Ufeli referenced corroborating reports from the National Assembly, civil society groups, and media outlets, which confirmed nationwide complaints of delayed materials, poor communication, and chaos at multiple examination centers.
As of now, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the lawsuit.