WAEC reacts to WASSCE delays, pledges stronger exam management

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has expressed concern over reports of delayed conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in some centres across the region.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Public Affairs Department and signed by Moyosola F. Adesina, Head of Public Affairs, the Council said it had commenced preliminary investigations to determine the cause of the disruption and prevent a recurrence in subsequent papers.

WAEC explained that the delays were due to a combination of logistical and operational challenges, including a fatal motor accident on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, which claimed the lives of three staff members responsible for transporting sensitive examination materials across states.

The Council described the incident as devastating, noting that it significantly affected its distribution schedule.

It further stated that prevailing regional security challenges also disrupted the movement of examination materials, while issues related to finalising the mode of examination conduct and late registration of candidates contributed to delays in preparation and distribution processes.

According to WAEC, security-related tensions, including protests linked to the abduction of schoolchildren in some areas, also hindered timely deployment of materials despite efforts by the Council and relevant security agencies.

While acknowledging the challenges, WAEC said its staff implemented emergency contingency measures to ensure the examinations proceeded in affected areas.

The Council assured stakeholders that measures had been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining papers, noting that the situation had already shown improvement during the session held on Friday, June 5.

WAEC also commended the support of stakeholders, including the Federal and State Ministries of Education, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies, for their cooperation in the conduct of the examination.

Reaffirming its commitment to academic credibility and administrative integrity, WAEC pledged to strengthen its operational systems to ensure hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examination.