WAEC Blames English Exam Delay on Anti-Malpractice Measures, Vows Swift Reforms

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has broken its silence on the unexpected delay that marred the conduct of the 2025 English Language examination, pointing to intensified efforts to combat malpractice as the primary cause.

In a statement issued Thursday, WAEC admitted that candidates sitting for Paper 2 of the English Language exam faced significant disruptions on May 28, with some forced to sit the paper hours later than scheduled — a delay that sparked frustration and fatigue among students nationwide.

The English exam is a flagship component of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which began on April 24 and is set to conclude on June 20.

WAEC’s spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, explained that in a bid to prevent question paper leaks and protect the integrity of the exam, the council introduced tighter security protocols. However, these safeguards had an unintended consequence — slowing down logistics and triggering a domino effect of delays across multiple examination centres.

“While we succeeded in safeguarding the examination materials, this inadvertently affected the timeliness and smooth execution of the process,” Adesina told TheCable.

In addition to the anti-leak measures, WAEC also cited logistical bottlenecks, security concerns, and sociocultural dynamics as contributing factors to the disruption.

The late start time led to exams stretching into the night in some regions, drawing concern from educators and parents alike over the well-being of students and the strain of extended wait times.

WAEC offered a formal apology to the affected students, schools, and families, thanking stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during what it described as a “challenging period.”

Looking ahead, the council assured the public that it is working closely with security agencies and logistics partners to prevent a recurrence of such disruptions in future examinations.

“We understand the importance of conducting examinations on schedule, and recognise the impacts delays have on candidates, their schools, and their families,” Adesina said.