WAEC Exams in Jeopardy as IPOB Declares Total Lockdown on May 30 Across Southeast Nigeria

 

The academic calendar in Nigeria’s Southeast region faces major disruption as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have announced a sweeping lockdown across the zone on May 30, 2025. The group says the directive is part of a solemn observance honoring Biafran heroes who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War and in the ongoing struggle for the actualization of Biafra.

Emma Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, revealed this in a statement released on Monday, declaring May 30 a public holiday across all territories considered to be “Biafra Land.” The day, according to him, is reserved as a sacred memorial and tribute to those who paid the ultimate price during the Biafran conflict and beyond.

The announcement, coming just weeks before the planned date, has stirred concerns among parents, students, and educational authorities, particularly as it coincides with the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). With millions of students sitting for crucial exams during this period, the lockdown could potentially derail the academic progress of thousands in the region.

From May 1, IPOB has intensified public awareness through Radio Biafra broadcasts and online campaigns aimed at galvanizing support for the memorial. According to the group, the month of May is traditionally used to reflect on the sacrifices made by Biafran heroes, culminating in the Heroes Memorial Day on the 30th.

“This is a sacred day for remembrance,” said Powerful. “We must honor our fallen heroes and heroines, including the likes of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Gen. Phillip Efiong, Chief Dr. Frank Opigo, Commander Ikonso, and countless others who laid down their lives to resist oppression and genocide.”

The group insists that all residents in the affected regions must remain indoors from 6 AM to 6 PM, with all forms of movement—by land, sea, or air—strictly prohibited. The order also extends to economic and social activities, including schools, markets, religious gatherings, and public meetings.

Only critical service workers such as healthcare personnel, firefighters, journalists, and emergency responders are exempted from the stay-at-home mandate. The statement urged families to spend the day reflecting on the Biafran War and the “continuing marginalization of the Igbo people within Nigeria.”

The directive has placed WAEC in a difficult position. IPOB disclosed it had reached out to the examination council, urging a shift in the exam timetable to prevent disruption. “WAEC has been informed of the total lockdown so they can reschedule any exams set for May 30,” Powerful confirmed. “We are safeguarding lives and dignity.”

The IPOB leadership also sent notifications to governors across the Southeast and South-South states, emphasizing that the memorial day would be observed peacefully indoors. They warned that the decision stemmed from repeated violent clampdowns by Nigerian security agencies on past memorial events, which often ended in bloodshed.

“There will be no street protests within Nigeria this time,” said Powerful. “We want to avoid unnecessary loss of life. Those in the diaspora will mark the day through town hall meetings or demonstrations, following local regulations.”

While IPOB insists the lockdown is an act of peaceful remembrance, the underlying tension between the group and Nigerian authorities suggests the potential for confrontation. Parents and education stakeholders are now left in limbo, awaiting official updates from WAEC regarding any rescheduling of the May/June SSCE papers.

Observers note that the intersection of civil agitation and national examinations presents a significant test for Nigeria’s unity and governance. With less than three weeks to go, the educational sector, particularly in the Southeast, remains on edge.

For now, IPOB’s message is unyielding: "Observe the lockdown or accept the consequences."