Again, late WAEC materials force candidates to write night exams

The smooth conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination was disrupted in several states following the late arrival of examination materials, forcing thousands of candidates to sit papers late into the evening.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that candidates in parts of Oyo, Lagos and Osun states were compelled to write examinations under poor lighting conditions on Wednesday and Thursday as question papers and answer booklets arrived several hours behind schedule.

The situation was particularly pronounced in Ibadan, Iseyin and Oyo towns in Oyo State, the Lekki axis of Lagos State, and Osogbo in Osun State, where some examination centres reportedly did not receive materials until late in the evening.

On Thursday, candidates sitting for Agriculture Science Practical were left waiting for hours after the examination’s scheduled commencement time.

The first batch of the practical examination was slated for 2 pm, while the second batch was scheduled for 3.30 pm.

However, as of 8 pm, some centres in Oyo State had yet to commence the examination.

A similar scenario was recorded on Wednesday when candidates sitting for General Mathematics Objective reportedly began writing as late as 6.30 pm in some centres, while others commenced around 8.30 pm and finished after 10 pm.

Several residents in Osun State described the development as disturbing, noting that candidates were still sitting examinations after sunset.

With classrooms already dark, some students reportedly moved their desks outdoors to take advantage of available light, while others relied on torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps to write their papers.

One parent in Oyo State said his child remained at the examination centre hours after the scheduled commencement time.

“It is 9 pm, and my child called that the examination is yet to start. The school staff members are still waiting for WAEC officials to bring the examination questions,” the parent said.

Another parent in Lagos said her child returned home around 10 pm after sitting Wednesday’s paper.

“My child returned home around 10 pm on Wednesday,” she said.

The delays have persisted throughout the week, with examinations rarely commencing at their scheduled times of 9.30 am and 2 pm.

On Monday, candidates reportedly waited several hours before sitting Physics Essay and Physics Objective papers, which were scheduled for 2 pm and 3.30 pm respectively.

A social media user, identified as Walestart, lamented the recurring delays.

“WAEC can do better. Since Monday, the paper has been coming so late. But today is the worst,” he wrote on X.

The development was a repeat of the 2025 WASSCE scenario when candidates in some parts of the country sat examinations late into the night using lanterns and torchlights.

The West African Examinations Council attributed the delays to efforts aimed at curbing examination malpractice and preventing question paper leakage.

The exam ination body also cited logistical challenges, security concerns and sociocultural factors as contributing to disruptions in its operations.

Beyond the delayed arrival of materials, some centres reportedly faced shortages of question papers.

An X user, Mum Ire, alleged that only 35 copies of Mathematics questions were supplied for 75 candidates at an examination centre.

“Out of 75 candidates, only 35 Mathematics questions were brought to the examination centre for the entire exam yesterday. Now we are being told that the Agriculture Science practical questions are on the way at 8.10 pm,” she wrote.

Another social media user, Ibrahim, expressed concern over the safety implications of the delays.

“Right now in Oyo State, WAEC students are just starting their paper by 7 pm, even with all the insecurity out there,” he posted.

Similarly, Buoda Taye questioned the rationale behind conducting examinations at such late hours.

“WAEC, why are the students just starting exams at 7 pm with the state of security in Nigeria?” he asked.

Another user, Oluwatimileyin, wrote, “Students are waiting for papers to arrive as of 7.16 pm. What can Nigeria do right?”

On Wednesday, another candidate lamented that supervisors had yet to arrive for the Mathematics Objective examination as of 5.30 pm.

“It is 5.30 pm, and we have not seen the supervisor for the Mathematics Objective WAEC exam. For the second year running, students will write exams into the night,” the user posted.

Some Nigerians warned that the examination body should be held accountable should any harm come to candidates or invigilators due to the prolonged delays.

“If anything happens to students writing WAEC or to the teachers supervising the examination, WAEC should be held responsible. This is insane,” another user wrote.

Efforts to get the Head of Public Affairs of WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, some observers linked the disruptions to the death of three WAEC officials involved in examination logistics.

The officials reportedly died on Wednesday in a road accident along the Gombe-Yola highway following a collision involving a truck.

The incident came despite assurances by the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, before the commencement of the 2026 examination that the challenges experienced during the 2025 WASSCE would not recur.

Dangut had said the council had strengthened its systems and introduced safeguards to prevent operational glitches.

“We have learnt from our glitches. We have perfected everything, and I speak authoritatively that we will not have a repeat of that glitch.

“It will not happen again in terms of result release issues or any form of disruption,” he had assured.