A wave of outrage has swept across Nigeria following disturbing images that surfaced online showing students writing their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) papers by candlelight.
The photographs, widely circulated on X formerly Twitter, social media platforms, have triggered a storm of reactions from citizens expressing anger and disappointment over the nation’s worsening electricity crisis.
The viral images, believed to have been taken in a public school during the ongoing WAEC exams, depict students struggling to see their answer sheets under the dim glow of candles.
This alarming scene has been described by many as a national embarrassment and a reflection of the country’s deepening infrastructural decay.
The incident has raised public criticism of Nigeria’s power sector, which has continued to suffer from chronic failures despite decades of reform efforts.
For years, millions of Nigerians have endured erratic electricity supply, with many now relying on private generators, solar panels, or, in extreme cases, candles and kerosene lamps.
According to one Twitter handle he said
“The fact that children preparing for their future must resort to candlelight in the 21st century is unacceptable,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), echoing the sentiments of many others. “This is not just about exams it’s about how the government has failed to provide basic amenities.”
Electricity generation and distribution, a key responsibility of the federal government, has been heavily criticized for inefficiency and mismanagement.
While officials have repeatedly promised improvements, the realities on the ground tell a different story.
As Nigerians continue to express their frustration, the incident has sparked calls for urgent action to address the failing power infrastructure and ensure that students are not forced to suffer the consequences of government negligence.
The Ministry of Power has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
