The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has defended the delayed conduct of some papers in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), attributing the disruption to a combination of logistical setbacks, security challenges, and a fatal road accident involving officials transporting examination materials.
The examination body said the delays affected the conduct of Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers in some centres, forcing candidates to sit for the examinations later than scheduled and, in some cases, into the night.
In a statement issued on Monday, by its Public Relations Officer, Moyosola Adesina, WAEC said preliminary investigations showed that one of the major causes of the disruption was a motor accident on June 3, 2026, which claimed the lives of three officials transporting sensitive examination materials across states.
According to the Council, the tragic incident, coupled with prevailing security concerns in some parts of the country, significantly disrupted its distribution schedule and contributed to the delayed commencement of examinations in affected centres.
WAEC also cited challenges arising from the finalisation of examination arrangements and the late registration of some candidates, which it said affected the timely preparation and deployment of examination materials.
The Council further disclosed that protests linked to the abduction of schoolchildren in some areas hindered the movement and distribution of examination materials despite efforts to ensure their timely delivery.
While expressing regret over the inconvenience caused to candidates and stakeholders, WAEC said emergency contingency measures were immediately activated to ensure the examinations were eventually conducted in all affected locations.
The Council assured candidates, parents and school authorities that additional measures had been put in place to prevent a recurrence and ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining papers.
WAEC also acknowledged the support of the Federal and State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, describing them as critical partners in the successful conduct of the examination.
The examination body reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the WASSCE, assuring stakeholders that every effort would be made to conclude the exercise without further disruptions.