Millions of secondary school students in Nigeria’s South-East may miss their scheduled West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared a total lockdown in the region on Thursday, May 30.
The sit-at-home order, described by IPOB as “non-negotiable,” is part of activities to mark Biafra Heroes Day — an annual commemoration of those who died during the Nigerian Civil War.
In a statement issued on Monday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said all commercial, social, and academic activities across the South-East must come to a halt from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the declared day.
“This is a sacred day of remembrance for the men, women, and children who paid the ultimate price in the Biafran struggle,” the group said. “May 30 is not just another date on the calendar. It is a day to pause, reflect, and honour our martyrs with silence and total shutdown.”
The declaration has raised growing concerns among parents, school authorities, and examination officials, especially as key WASSCE subjects are expected to be written on that date.
IPOB, however, claimed it has officially notified the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to consider adjusting the May/June timetable in light of the directive.
“We expect WAEC to act accordingly in order to avoid disruption,” Powerful added.
The group explained that the restriction would apply to all residents in the region, with exemptions only for essential and emergency workers, including doctors, nurses, journalists, ambulance drivers, firefighters, and fuel transporters under NUPENG.
Beyond the lockdown at home, IPOB also urged its members in the diaspora to organise peaceful protests on the same day, demanding the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. It warned against any demonstration within Nigeria, citing safety concerns over possible confrontations with security agents.
Preparations for the memorial have already commenced, with IPOB ramping up awareness through Radio Biafra broadcasts and organising lectures in several cities at home and abroad. The group described the May 30 remembrance as “a symbol of identity and resistance,” calling on residents to observe the day by staying indoors.
If enforced, the directive would mark the first major sit-at-home action in 2025 and could severely disrupt educational activities and commercial life in a region already grappling with insecurity and frequent civil actions.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Ministry of Education nor WAEC had issued an official statement on the matter.
TheNigeriaEducationNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates as it unfolds.
