WAEC, Education Ministry Face ₦100 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Student Mistreatment During 2025 WASSCE

 

Lawsuit Demands ₦100 Billion, Apology, and Reform Over Alleged Rights Violations During 2025 WASSCE

A fresh legal storm is brewing over the conduct of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), as human rights lawyer Evans Ufeli has filed a ₦100 billion lawsuit against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education. The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Lagos, accuses both institutions of gross misconduct and endangerment of student welfare during what should have been a standardized national examination.

Evans Ufeli, acting on behalf of several affected students, leveled serious allegations against WAEC and the ministry. He claims candidates were subjected to degrading and hazardous conditions, particularly during the English Language paper, which some were reportedly forced to write as late as 8:00 p.m. The alleged delay not only disrupted exam schedules but also left students in poorly lit and insecure environments, raising concerns about safety, stress, and performance.

Students, many of them minors, were allegedly left in limbo for hours at several exam centers as chaos and logistical failings marred the process. Ufeli argues that the delays and poor conditions were more than mere administrative hiccups—they represented a fundamental violation of constitutional and human rights.

The legal action draws heavily on Nigeria’s constitutional framework, citing Sections 33 through 36 and Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as provisions from the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The suit seeks not only compensation but systemic reform.

Among the demands are a rescheduling and re-sit of all examinations affected by delays, a formal public apology from both WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education, and a comprehensive overhaul of WAEC's logistics planning and contingency frameworks.

“This isn’t just about an exam paper written late,” Ufeli stated. “This is about the well-being and future of our children. The State has a legal and moral responsibility to protect students—not subject them to trauma and danger due to bureaucratic incompetence.”

According to the court filing, the examination authorities “failed in their constitutional and statutory duties to protect students’ rights during a crucial national exam.” Ufeli contends that these failures inflicted severe psychological distress on candidates and compromised their ability to perform academically.

Some students were reportedly left without adequate seating, lighting, or supervision, while others faced growing insecurity as dusk fell and examination materials had yet to arrive. In some centers, parents and school administrators scrambled to maintain order as panic and confusion spread.

The claim of rights violations rests on three main pillars: the students’ right to dignity, the right to a fair hearing (interpreted as fairness in the administration of such a consequential test), and the right to life and security. Ufeli argues that by placing students in physical danger and mental distress, WAEC and the ministry crossed a legal red line.

Public outrage over the examination fiasco has been mounting, with civil society organizations, educational advocates, and lawmakers in the National Assembly all voicing concern. Several media reports corroborated claims of delayed exam materials, center mismanagement, and a general lack of coordination across multiple states.

Ufeli also emphasized that the demand for ₦100 billion in damages is both punitive and corrective. “We are seeking exemplary damages to send a clear message: the rights and futures of Nigerian students are not expendable. This case stands as a warning against administrative recklessness cloaked in officialdom.”

Beyond monetary compensation, the suit calls for deeper institutional change. Ufeli is asking the court to compel the respondents to develop and adopt transparent, accountable systems for handling exam logistics—particularly those involving underage candidates and high-stakes testing.

“This generation deserves better. It is indefensible to ask students to sacrifice their health and safety just to sit for a basic requirement like the WASSCE. If the system is broken, then we must fix it—urgently,” Ufeli declared.

As of now, no hearing date has been scheduled, but legal observers suggest the case could set a powerful precedent for how education-related human rights issues are handled in Nigeria.

The implications go far beyond this year’s examination cycle. If successful, the lawsuit could prompt a reassessment of how national exams are organized, monitored, and protected—placing student welfare and legal accountability at the forefront of educational policy.