By Funmilayo Adeyemi
A disturbing video showing students in Asaba writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the dead of night using torchlights has sparked national outrage, prompting a swift response from the Federal Ministry of Education.
The viral clip, which shows candidates hunched over their papers in darkness at Unity Secondary School, has drawn fierce condemnation from the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who labelled the scene “completely unacceptable.”
In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday in Abuja by Folasade Boriowo, the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Alausa expressed deep dismay, blasting the Delta State Ministry of Education for supervising such a “shocking and disgraceful” situation.
“The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the conduct of an examination in an unsuitable environment, as seen in footage circulating on social media,” Alausa said.
“This reveals an inappropriate setting for such a critical academic exercise, and it occurred under the oversight of the Delta State Ministry of Education.”
The Minister assured Nigerians that every n
ecessary step would be taken to prevent such an “educational embarrassment” from happening again.
“The outcome of the investigation will be made public as necessary,” he said, confirming a joint probe by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Delta State Government, and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Reaffirming the ministry’s resolve to prioritise student welfare, Alausa declared: “We are committed to improving educational infrastructure and ensuring that students across the country have access to safe and enabling environments for teaching, learning, and assessment.”
The incident has raised serious questions about the preparedness of state education authorities and the standard of facilities available for national examinations — with many calling it a national disgrace that must not be repeated.
