Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the deplorable conditions under which some students were forced to write their West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), describing the situation as a “national disgrace.”
In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, Atiku expressed outrage over reports that students sat for exams in darkness and unfit environments. He called it “shameful and appalling,” especially given that it occurred just a day after International Children’s Day.
“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,” he said.
He added, “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.”
Calling for urgent reform, Atiku stressed that this incident should serve as a wake-up call to the nation’s conscience. He urged for immediate and sustained investment in critical social infrastructure, particularly in the education sector — not just through political promises but with real, tangible action.
The former Vice President also demanded a retake of the exam in all affected centers, insisting that to do otherwise would be a “grave injustice” to the students involved.
“Examination preparedness is a shared responsibility between students and authorities. In this instance, it is evident that the authorities have failed spectacularly. It would be utterly unjust to let students bear the consequences of such gross institutional negligence,” he said.
Looking ahead, Atiku emphasized the need for strict enforcement of minimum environmental and infrastructural standards in all future high-stakes examinations.
“We must never allow such a shameful scenario to repeat itself — not under our watch,” he concluded.
