Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the troubling reports that students were made to write the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in total darkness at several centres across Nigeria.
Describing the situation as a “national disgrace,” Atiku said it reflects the widespread failure of basic public infrastructure and a broken education system.
He noted, “This is not merely an unfortunate incident, it is a damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education.
“It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and utterly indefensible that in 2025, our children are forced to write critical national exams in pitch darkness like second-class citizens.
“Examination preparedness is a shared responsibility between students and the examination authorities. In this case, it is glaringly evident that the latter has failed spectacularly in their duty.
“I, therefore, demand, unequivocally, that the affected examination paper be retaken in all compromised centres. Anything less would be a grave injustice to the students whose futures hang in the balance.
“Going forward, it is imperative that relevant authorities establish and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all high-stakes national examinations.“
