As the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) continues across Nigeria, growing insecurity and school abductions are causing concern among students, teachers, and parents.
Many stakeholders fear that the kidnapping of students and teachers could affect the performance and participation of more than 1.9 million candidates writing the examination in over 24,000 centres nationwide.
The 2026 WASSCE started on April 21 with practical examinations and is expected to end on June 19.
Concerns increased following two unresolved school abduction cases in Borno and Oyo states, where dozens of pupils, students, and teachers have remained in captivity for more than 20 days.
Education stakeholders say the incidents have raised questions about the safety of schools and whether students can concentrate on their examinations amid such fears.
Leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said the psychological effects of repeated attacks on schools go beyond the affected communities. They noted that students in other parts of the country may also be worried about their safety and fear that their schools could become targets.
Stakeholders have called on the federal and state governments to improve school security, rescue those still in captivity, and restore confidence in the education system.
In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents attacked Government Day Secondary School and nearby primary schools in Mussa community, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, on May 16. During the attack, 42 pupils and students were abducted.
As of the time of this report, none of the victims had been rescued or released. The Borno State Government has since ordered the closure and relocation of the affected school.
In Oyo State, gunmen attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
About 46 people, including 39 pupils and students and seven teachers, were abducted. No official rescue or release had been announced as of the time of this report.
Commenting on the impact of insecurity on the ongoing WAEC examinations, Principal Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ogun State, Samson Oyelere, said the situation could seriously affect students’ performance.
He said fear, trauma, and displacement reduce students’ ability to concentrate and prepare properly for examinations.
According to him, students writing examinations under the threat of abduction may perform poorly because of anxiety, lack of sleep, and disrupted study schedules.
Oyelere also warned that continued attacks on schools could lead to increased school dropouts, loss of confidence in education, and parents withdrawing their children, especially girls, from school.
He urged the government to deploy trained security personnel to schools, establish rapid response teams, prosecute kidnappers, and provide psychological support for affected students.
NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, said WAEC examinations should continue but stressed the need for stronger security measures around schools.
He said governments at all levels must protect students and create a safe environment that allows them to focus on their studies.
Afeez warned that continued school attacks could reduce confidence in the education system and discourage students from attending schools in rural communities.
He added that NANS officials were already in Oyo State working to secure the release of the abducted students.
NANS National Treasurer, Comrade Idris Asmau, also expressed concern about the safety of students taking part in the examinations.
She said the government must prioritise the lives and security of students and ensure schools are adequately protected.
Asmau warned that if insecurity continues, teachers may become unwilling to work in schools, while others may leave the country in search of safer opportunities.
A parent, Mrs Theresa Christopher, whose daughter is writing the WAEC examination in Benue State, said fear and uncertainty could affect students’ performance even if their schools had not been directly attacked.
She called on the government to make school security a national priority and ensure that those responsible for attacks are punished.
The President of the NANS Senate, Comrade Moses Ibeabuchi, agreed that insecurity could negatively affect academic performance.
He said students who hear about attacks on schools across the country may become distracted and worried about their own safety while writing examinations.
Ibeabuchi urged the government to strengthen school security and support security agencies in protecting educational institutions.
Another concerned citizen warned that terrorists might be achieving their goal of discouraging Western education through repeated attacks on schools.
She urged the government to treat the fight against terrorism as a top priority in order to protect the future of Nigerian children and the country’s education system.
Source: Leadership
