WAEC Blames Night Exam On Fatal Crash, Logistics Problems

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has attributed delays in the conduct of some papers in the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to logistical and operational challenges.

Naija News reports that WAEC said the disruptions were worsened by a fatal road accident that killed three of its officials transporting sensitive examination materials across states.

The council disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina.

Three WAEC officials died on Wednesday in an accident along the Gombe-Yola highway after a collision involving a truck.

The council said the accident disrupted its distribution schedule and delayed the commencement of some examinations in affected centres.

WAEC said, “The delay was caused by a combination of logistical and operational challenges, notably the direct result of a devastating motor accident on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, which tragically claimed the lives of three of our dedicated personnel who were transporting sensitive examination materials interstate.

“This heartbreaking loss, coupled with prevailing regional security challenges, severely compromised our distribution schedule, which inadvertently led to the delayed start times.

“While we mourned our fallen colleagues, our team of indefatigable staff worked around the clock to deploy emergency contingency measures to ensure that the examination was still conducted in the affected areas.”

Candidates who sat for Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers last Wednesday and Thursday in some centres in Oyo, Lagos and Osun states were forced to write late into the evening.

In some centres, candidates reportedly used torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps to complete their papers after 8 pm.

Others moved outside classrooms after sunset to take advantage of available light.

WAEC said preliminary investigations showed that the delays were caused by several factors, including the fatal accident, security challenges, the finalisation of examination arrangements, and the late registration of candidates.

The council stated, “The issues of finalising the mode of conduct of the examination and the subsequent late registration of candidates affected the timely preparation of examination materials.

“Security challenges which led to mass protests against the abduction of schoolchildren also affected the timely distribution of examination materials in spite of the council’s best efforts.”

The examination body said it had put measures in place to prevent a recurrence during the remaining papers.

It said the smooth conduct of examinations on Friday, June 5, showed that the challenges had largely been addressed.

“The council hereby assures the general public that it has put modalities in place to ensure that the rest of the examination is conducted hitch-free, as observed from the conduct of the examination on Friday, June 5, 2026,” WAEC said.

The 2026 May/June WASSCE for school candidates began on Tuesday, April 21, and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 19, 2026.