LAGOS, Nigeria — A Lagos-based lawyer and human rights advocate, Evans Ufeli, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Minister of Education, seeking N100 billion in damages and a mandatory re-sit of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) English Language paper.
In a suit brought on behalf of affected Nigerian students, Ufeli alleges that the conduct of the May 2025 English examination violated multiple constitutional rights by subjecting students to what he described as “unsafe, dimly lit, and traumatising conditions.”
Filed pursuant to Sections 33, 34, 35, 36, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as provisions of the Child Rights Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the motion seeks six key reliefs from the court.
Among these is a declaration that the conduct of the English paper under hazardous and late-night conditions—reportedly in some centres as late as 8:00 p.m.—amounted to a breach of students’ rights to dignity, life, and fair hearing.
“The Respondents failed in their constitutional and statutory duties to protect the rights of students during a high-stakes national examination,” the court filing stated.
“The result is widespread psychological trauma, disruption of academic performance, and exposure to physical harm.”
Ufeli is asking the court to compel WAEC and the Ministry of Education to organise a re-sit of the affected examination papers at no cost to the students and to publicly apologise for the logistical failures.
He also seeks an order mandating a comprehensive review of the examination body’s operations and contingency plans.
Additionally, the suit demands the payment of N100 billion in general and exemplary damages to affected students for the “mental anguish and violation of fundamental rights.”
In a statement accompanying the court filing, Ufeli sharply criticised WAEC and the education ministry, describing the handling of the 2025 examination as a “monumental failure of planning and foresight.”
He dismissed claims that logistical delays caused by security threats or malpractice controls justified exposing students to distress and danger.
“This case is not just about one paper,” he said.
“It is about the future of a generation. The law does not permit the State or its agencies to sacrifice the rights and well-being of students on the altar of bureaucratic ineptitude.”
He also cited reports from the National Assembly, civil society groups, and the media that documented late delivery of exam materials, chaotic centre administration, and a lack of proper lighting and security at numerous exam venues.
As of Tuesday, June 3, 2025, no date has been set for the hearing of the suit. WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education have yet to issue a formal response to the legal challenge.
