Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Evans Ufeli, has filed a landmark lawsuit against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Minister of Education at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking justice for what he describes as a gross violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerian students during the recently concluded 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The suit, brought on behalf of affected students, challenges the conduct of the English Language paper written in May 2025. Ufeli is urging the court to declare the examination as unlawful, inhumane, and constitutionally defective, citing disturbing reports of students being forced to write their papers as late as 9 p.m., under unsafe and poorly lit conditions.
Filed pursuant to Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), along with provisions of the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the application seeks sweeping judicial remedies, including:
According to Ufeli, thousands of candidates were exposed to degrading environments — sitting for exams in darkness, exposed to security threats, and subjected to prolonged anxiety, all of which undermine their rights to dignity, life, and fair hearing.
“The Respondents failed in their constitutional and statutory duties to protect the rights of students during a high-stakes national examination,” the originating motion reads. “The result is widespread psychological trauma, disruption of academic performance, and exposure to physical harm.”
Ufeli lambasted WAEC for what he called “a monumental failure of planning and foresight,” insisting that logistical failures cannot justify treating minors with disregard and negligence. “This case is not just about one paper. It’s about the future of a generation.”
He also referenced findings from the National Assembly, media investigations, and civil society reports, all of which documented widespread irregularities and chaos during the English exam, including late delivery of question papers and disorganised conduct across numerous centres.
Meanwhile, WAEC Nigeria’s Head, Dr. Amos Dangut, on Monday issued a formal apology, admitting that the Council suffered major logistical setbacks caused by a last-minute reprint of exam papers due to question leaks.
“Our internal printing press was operating at only 50% capacity,” Dangut said. “This forced us to outsource to external vendors, which compromised timely delivery and distribution.”
He acknowledged that some students were forced to write their papers late in the evening under improvised lighting such as torches, candles, and phone lights — but insisted that WAEC worked with schools and parents to minimise harm.
Dangut also disclosed that WAEC has launched an internal investigation and pledged that “anyone found culpable will face legal consequences.” He assured Nigerians that investments are being made to restore the internal printing press to full capacity.
The Federal House of Representatives has also waded into the controversy. Following a motion moved by Rep. Mary Ibikake (PDP-Bayelsa), the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies opened a formal probe into what it described as a “grossly mismanaged” 2025 WASSCE.
During an investigative hearing in Abuja, Committee Chairman, Rep. Oboku Oforji, condemned the examination body’s performance, calling it a national embarrassment.
“Parliament approved funding for WAEC to deliver credible examinations — not to plunge students into darkness and chaos,” Oforji said. “This is not merely a technical glitch; it is a clear failure to uphold the academic and psychological well-being of our children.”
He warned WAEC against a repeat of the debacle, urging the agency to immediately implement stronger logistics, security, and contingency systems to restore public trust.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the lawsuit filed by Evans Ufeli.