WAEC English Exam: Katsina Government Demands Cancellation Over Delays, Poor Conditions

The Katsina State Government has formally demanded the cancellation of the recently conducted West African Examination Council (WAEC) English Language paper, citing serious delays and poor conditions under which students were forced to sit for the exam.

The state’s position was announced by Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, during a visit to the WAEC office in Katsina. She revealed that the examination, which was meant to start at a specific hour, commenced several hours late, disrupting students’ concentration and academic rhythm.

“Students had to write the examination at night without electricity,” she said. “They relied on torch lights, handset lights, and security lights to write a national paper.”
The commissioner added that the state’s petition—signed by Hajiya Ummukhair Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry—has already been formally submitted to WAEC, with a request that the exam be voided and rescheduled under fairer conditions.

WAEC, on its part, attributed the delay to heightened security measures aimed at curbing malpractice and the leakage of question papers, an issue that has plagued past examination cycles.

“Unfair and Undignified”
The Katsina State Government argues that subjecting students to such adverse conditions amounts to academic injustice, especially in a critical paper like English Language, which is a compulsory and foundational subject for university admission and overall certification.

“This is not just about academic performance; it’s about fairness, dignity, and mental readiness,” said Musa-Musawa.
She further appealed to schools, parents, and affected communities to remain calm while WAEC responds to the petition.

If WAEC agrees to cancel or reschedule the English Language paper in Katsina, it could set a national precedent for regional exam invalidations—something that has rarely occurred on a large scale in Nigeria’s educational history. The decision may also reopen broader debates on infrastructure deficits, exam management logistics, and the need for reforms in public examination bodies.

As of press time, WAEC has yet to issue an official response to Katsina’s demand, though it acknowledged receipt of the petition.

The situation remains tense, with students and educators awaiting clarity on what could be a pivotal decision in the 2025 examination cycle.