The Katsina State government has called for the cancellation of the recent English language examination conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), following widespread delays that disrupted the test across Nigeria.
According to Zainab Musa-Musawa, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, the exam, scheduled for Wednesday, began several hours late nationwide. Musa-Musawa made the announcement during a visit to the WAEC office in Katsina, citing a petition signed by Ummukhair Ahmed, the ministry’s permanent secretary.
WAEC attributed the delay to heightened security measures aimed at curbing examination malpractice and preventing question paper leaks. However, the commissioner revealed that many students were forced to write the exam late into the night, often without electricity, relying on torch lights, mobile phones, and security lights to see their papers.
The Katsina government has urged schools, parents, and the wider community to remain patient as the petition is reviewed. The state awaits WAEC’s response and a decision on whether the English language paper will be cancelled or rescheduled.
