West African Examinations Council attributes test postponements to fatal accident claiming lives of three staff members

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The West African Examinations Council has attributed delays in the conduct of some papers in the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination to a fatal road accident that killed three of its officials, alongside security and logistical challenges.

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WAEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, following widespread complaints over the late commencement of some examination papers in several centres across the country.

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According to the council, the three officials died on Wednesday in a road accident along the Gombe-Yola highway while transporting sensitive examination materials across states. The accident disrupted the distribution schedule and contributed significantly to delays experienced at affected centres.

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“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,” the statement read.

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WAEC said the loss of the officials, combined with prevailing security challenges, severely affected the timely delivery of examination materials.

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Candidates in several centres across Oyo, Lagos and Osun states had, last week, written mathematics and agricultural science papers late into the evening after delays in the distribution of question papers and answer booklets.

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In some centres, candidates reportedly relied on torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps to complete their examinations, while others moved outside classrooms after sunset to take advantage of available light.

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The council said preliminary investigations showed that the disruption also stemmed from challenges related to the finalisation of examination arrangements and the late registration of candidates, which affected the timely production of examination materials.

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WAEC further stated that security concerns, including protests linked to the abduction of schoolchildren in some areas, hindered the movement and distribution of examination materials.

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“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,” the council said.

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It added that measures had been implemented to prevent a recurrence of the delays during the remaining papers and expressed confidence that subsequent examinations would proceed smoothly.

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According to WAEC, the smooth conduct of examinations on Friday, June 5, indicated that the challenges had largely been resolved.

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“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,” the statement added.

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The 2026 May/June WASSCE for school candidates commenced on April 21 and is scheduled to end on June 19.

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