Midnight Exams Scandal: WAEC Slapped with ₦100 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Rights Violation!
Evans Ufeli, a lawyer and human rights activist from Lagos, has brought the Minister of Education and the West African Examinations Council, or WAEC, before the Federal High Court in Lagos to seek redress for what he claims was a flagrant violation of Nigerian students’ fundamental rights during the administration of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, or WASSCE.
Ufeli is requesting that the court rule that the administration of the May 2025 English Language exam was illegal, cruel, and unconstitutional in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the impacted children.
He claimed that the Ministry of Education and the testing organization were putting students through painful and humiliating experiences, such as preparing papers in dangerous settings and in the dark, often until eight o’clock at night.
The initiating action seeks a number of extensive judicial interventions under Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as pertinent provisions of the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Among these is an order requiring the government to pay N100 billion in damages for the suffering and rights abuses experienced by the students, as well as to retake all relevant tests under suitable circumstances.
According to Ufeli’s appeal, thousands of students were made to take tests in “dangerous, dimly lit, and unsafe environments,” frequently with little security or lighting.
He claims that these circumstances go against Nigerian law and international treaties that the government has ratified, which guarantee the rights to life, human dignity, and a fair trial.
“The respondents failed to uphold their constitutional and legal obligations to safeguard students’ rights during a crucial national exam. The application states, in part, that “the result is widespread psychological trauma, disruption of academic performance, and exposure to physical harm.”
According to the lawsuit, WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education are both at fault for administrative carelessness, logistical errors, and a blatant disregard for the wellbeing of young Nigerians.
“A declaration that the administration of the 2025 WASSCE English Language exam in hazardous and dimly lit conditions amounted to a violation of students’ fundamental rights under the Constitution and African Charter” is one of the six main reliefs requested.
“A mandatory directive requiring WAEC and the Ministry of Education to arrange for a free retake of the impacted exams for students.”
“An order directing the respondents to publicly apologize and undertake a comprehensive review of their examination logistics and contingency procedures.
“N100 billion in general and exemplary damages for the alleged mental anguish, trauma, and violation of students’ rights.
In a statement accompanying the suit, Ufeli lambasted WAEC for what he described as “a monumental failure of planning and foresight,” stating that the Council’s justification of security threats and malpractice concerns is not an excuse to subject minors to inhumane treatment.
There is more than one paper at issue in this case. It concerns a generation’s future. The state or its agencies are not allowed by law to compromise students’ rights and welfare on the pretext of bureaucratic incompetence, according to Ufeli.
Additionally, he referenced data from the National Assembly, media, and civil society organizations that supported reports of pervasive irregularities, delayed exam material delivery, and disorderly behavior in numerous locations throughout the nation.
There is no set date for the suit hearing.
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