WAEC responds to reports of examination delays
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has explained the reasons behind the delayed conduct of Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers in some centres during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a statement issued on June 8 by the Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, the examination body said it became aware of reports of delays in certain locations and immediately launched investigations to determine the causes.
According to WAEC, the goal was not only to identify what went wrong but also to implement measures that would prevent similar disruptions during the remainder of the examination period.
The council expressed regret over the inconvenience experienced by candidates, schools, and other stakeholders affected by the delays.
Tragic accident claimed lives of 3 WAEC officials
One of the major factors responsible for the disruption was a fatal road accident involving WAEC personnel.
The council disclosed that on June 3, 2026, three staff members transporting confidential examination materials across states lost their lives in a devastating motor accident.
WAEC described the incident as heartbreaking and noted that the loss, combined with prevailing security concerns in some areas, significantly affected the distribution schedule of examination materials.
Despite the tragedy, the council said its staff worked tirelessly to activate emergency measures and ensure that examinations continued in affected locations.
In addition, WAEC revealed that logistical difficulties linked to finalising examination procedures and the late registration of some candidates also contributed to the delays.
Security: Protests, registration bottlenecks amplify delays
Furthermore, WAEC stated that security-related challenges hindered the timely movement of examination materials to some centres.
The council noted that protests linked to the recent abduction of schoolchildren also disrupted transportation and distribution efforts despite attempts to maintain normal operations.
Furthermore, administrative bottlenecks within schools worsened the situation. The examination body cited late candidate registration and delays in finalizing the exact mode of the examination as major hindrances. These internal and external pressures left the council with very little time to prepare and package sensitive papers for volatile zones.
WAEC guarantees hitch-free future conduct
Despite mourning their fallen colleagues, WAEC staff worked around the clock to deploy emergency contingency measures. These frantic efforts ensured that affected centers still successfully conducted the papers on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Moving forward, the council assures the general public that it has put solid modalities in place to guarantee a hitch-free experience for the remainder of the examination.
The body highly appreciated the support of the Federal and State Ministries of Education, alongside the Nigeria Police Force. Ultimately, WAEC reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining the academic credibility and administrative integrity that defining its reputation.
However, WAEC assured candidates, parents, and schools that it has strengthened its operational arrangements to guarantee a hitch-free conduct of the remaining papers.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining examination integrity, WAEC pledged to uphold the academic standards and credibility for which it is known across West Africa.
The council expressed confidence that the measures now in place will help ensure the smooth completion of the 2026 WASSCE.
— WAEC NIGERIA (@waecnigeria) June 8, 2026
