By Parrot Newspaper 
WAEC Leak: Parrot Uncovers Syndicate Behind Scandal
EXCLUSIVE | Parrot Newspaper
WAEC English Exam Leak Plunges Nigerian Students into Midnight Chaos: Who Will Be Held Accountable?
By Ricky Awodi
June 1, 2025
—
Candidates Write in Darkness as WAEC Scrambles to Contain Massive Question Paper Leak
In a disturbing turn of events that exposed the rot within Nigeria’s education assessment system, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) presided over a disorganized and chaotic English Language paper, forcing students across the country to write critical exams late into the night—many under torchlights and lanterns due to nationwide blackouts.
Investigations by Parrot Newspaper have uncovered how gross internal failures and systemic corruption led to the leaking of English Language questions four days before the exam, triggering a last-minute scramble that disrupted lives, jeopardized students’ futures, and called into question the integrity of the entire 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Evidence of Inside Job: WAEC Officials Fingered
Sources within WAEC confirmed that insiders may have been complicit, with a syndicate of “exam run” dealers reportedly profiting millions of naira by distributing the leaked English Language paper via WhatsApp and Telegram.
> “One of the platforms had over 80,000 subscribers. At N1,000 per student, that’s N80 million,” said a WAEC insider who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
The leak was so severe that WAEC was forced to reprint English Language papers days before the scheduled exam. Yet instead of postponing the paper, students in Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Taraba, and beyond were left to sit for the paper as late as 12 midnight, under grueling and unacceptable conditions.
Videos obtained by Parrot Newspaper confirm widespread night-time examinations with students hunched over desks in candle-lit halls and open fields—an image that starkly contrasts with WAEC’s claim of safeguarding the credibility of its assessments.
Criminal Syndicates Thrive, Law Enforcement Silent
Parrot Newspaper traced several social media accounts and channels—such as “King of Exams Runs,” “Free WAEC NECO IJMB Students Connect,” and “WAEC, NECO, and JAMB Expo”—actively offering exam answers days in advance. On one platform, students were asked to pay ₦1,500 for access to English and Mathematics questions that were promised to “drop at midnight.”
So far, no WAEC staff member has been arrested, and law enforcement agencies remain tight-lipped, despite clear evidence of financial trails and massive digital footprints.
WAEC, in a vague and noncommittal statement by Acting Head of Public Affairs Moyosola Adesina, admitted to “logistical challenges” and “sociocultural disruptions” but stopped short of accepting institutional failure or apologizing to the candidates and families affected.
—
Families Outraged, Parents Demand Retake
For many parents, the situation was more than a logistical misstep—it was an unforgivable abuse of their children’s welfare and mental health.
> “WAEC is punishing students for its own internal failures. If the paper leaked, why weren’t the responsible officials suspended immediately? Why should innocent students write exams at 10 p.m.?” asked Ajayi Ademola, a father in Osogbo, whose daughter didn’t return home until nearly midnight.
The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has since demanded the cancellation and rescheduling of the English Language paper, warning of a potential mass failure due to extreme conditions.
> “This exam should not count. It violated all norms of fair assessment. Students were tired, confused, and afraid. How can their performance be judged valid?” said Ademola Ekundayo, NAPTAN’s National Publicity Secretary.
Candidates Left Disillusioned
Some of the most tragic voices come from the students themselves, many of whom expressed hopelessness and betrayal.
> “Those who bought the leaked paper had an unfair advantage. Honest students like me were disadvantaged,” said Olamide Adefowope, a WASSCE candidate in Ogun State. “I was mentally exhausted by nightfall. My brain just shut down.”
Another student from Taraba State, who asked not to be named, said, “It felt like we were being punished. The exam started by 8:30 p.m., and I couldn’t even read for the next paper. I’m scared of failing.”
—
Pattern of Institutional Failure
This scandal comes barely a month after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) experienced nationwide disruptions in its UTME, leaving thousands of students stranded. The pattern points to a systemic decay in Nigeria’s examination infrastructure, marred by internal collusion, poor oversight, and near-impunity for corrupt actors.
Despite the gravity of the situation, neither WAEC nor the Ministry of Education has committed to a full public inquiry or a transparent disciplinary process. The silence of Nigeria’s educational leadership is deafening.
Who Will Be Held Accountable?
The larger question is this: Who will be held responsible for this educational catastrophe? Will WAEC officials implicated in the leaks face dismissal or prosecution? Will the Nigerian Police Force publish its findings? Will the Federal Ministry of Education launch an independent inquiry?
So far, there are no clear answers.
Until then, millions of Nigerian students remain victims—of greed, negligence, and a failing system that no longer puts their future first.
—
Parrot Newspaper (ISSN 3092-8435)
News That Talks to You
www.parrotnewspaper.com