WAEC Blames WASSCE Delays on Fatal Crash, Insecurity

WAEC has attributed delays in the 2026 WASSCE to a fatal accident that killed three officials and security challenges, including protests over school abductions.

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 a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of three of its officials and prevailing security challenges.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has blamed the delayed start of some papers in the ongoing 2026 WASSCE for school candidates on a combination of logistical challenges, including a fatal road accident that killed three of its officials and security concerns across parts of the country.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, the council said the accident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, along the Gombe-Yola highway, severely disrupted the distribution of examination materials.

Three WAEC officials died when the vehicle conveying sensitive examination materials was involved in a collision with a truck.

The council noted that the tragic incident, coupled with security challenges and protests triggered by the abduction of schoolchildren in some states, led to delays in the delivery of question papers and answer booklets to several centres.

Candidates who sat for the Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers in parts of Oyo, Lagos and Osun states on Wednesday and Thursday were forced to begin their examinations late into the evening, with some relying on torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps to complete their papers after 8 pm.

WAEC explained that the delays were further compounded by the late registration of some candidates and challenges in finalising examination modalities.

“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 council stated.

It added that security challenges and mass protests against the abduction of schoolchildren also hampered the timely distribution of materials in some areas.

WAEC, however, assured the public that it had put contingency measures in place and that the conduct of the examination on Friday, June 5, was largely hitch-free.

The council pledged to ensure the smooth conduct of the remaining papers, noting that the 2026 May/June WASSCE, which began on April 21, is scheduled to end on June 19, 2026.