THE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed the disruptions recorded during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to a combination of security, logistical, and operational challenges.
In a statement released today by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the examination body said the delays were largely caused by protests over the abduction of schoolchildren, the tragic death of three WAEC officials in a road accident in Gombe State, and other administrative difficulties.
The explanation comes after widespread complaints from candidates, parents, and educators regarding delays that affected several examination papers across the country last week.
Many candidates on Monday reportedly waited for hours before sitting for the physics essay and objective examinations.
Similar disruptions were recorded during the General Mathematics Objective paper on Wednesday, while the situation worsened on Thursday in parts of Oyo State, where some students reportedly completed their examinations under poor lighting conditions.
Videos shared online showed candidates relying on torchlights and mobile phone flashlights to write their examinations, sparking criticism from concerned stakeholders.
According to WAEC, the disruptions coincided with nationwide protests organized by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) following the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
The council also suffered a major setback when three officials responsible for transporting sensitive examination materials lost their lives in a road accident along the Gombe-Yola highway while carrying out official duties.
WAEC said it immediately launched preliminary investigations after receiving reports of the delays from examination centers nationwide.
Findings from the investigation revealed that the challenges stemmed from multiple factors, including the loss of key personnel, security concerns, and transportation difficulties linked to the protests.
The council explained that the June 3 accident significantly disrupted its distribution schedule, leading to delayed commencement of examinations in affected areas. It expressed condolences to the families of the deceased officials, describing them as dedicated personnel who died in service.
Despite the tragedy, WAEC stated that emergency contingency measures were swiftly implemented to minimise disruptions and ensure examinations continued in affected locations.
The council noted that staff members worked tirelessly to maintain the examination process while addressing the challenges.
In addition to security related issues, WAEC cited difficulties associated with finalizing examination arrangements and late candidate registrations, which affected the preparation and distribution of examination materials.
The examination body assured candidates, parents, and other stakeholders that corrective measures have been put in place to prevent similar incidents and ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining examinations. It added that the effectiveness of these interventions was already evident during examinations held on Friday, June 5.
WAEC also expressed appreciation to its stakeholders, including the Federal and State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies, for their continued support and cooperation.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the integrity and credibility of the WASSCE, the council pledged to ensure the seamless administration of the examination across the country.
