WAEC Exams Run Into Night Again, and Parents Protest as WAEC Promise to Tackle the Issue

The conduct of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) came under scrutiny on Thursday after widespread delays at several examination centres forced candidates to write papers hours behind schedule, with some completing their examinations late into the night.

The disruptions, which have affected centres in parts of Lagos, particularly Lagos Island and the Lekki axis, have reignited concerns among parents, educators, and other stakeholders, barely a year after similar incidents saw students writing examinations as late as midnight.

Reports indicate that the delays became more severe this week. On Monday, candidates scheduled to sit for Physics Papers 2 and 1 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. reportedly experienced significant setbacks, with some centres commencing the second paper around 8 p.m.

The situation worsened on Wednesday during the General Mathematics examination. Candidates who were expected to complete the essay paper between 9:30 a.m. and noon, and the objective paper from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., reportedly did not finish until about 10 p.m.

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As of Thursday evening, students scheduled to take the Agricultural Science Practical examination were still waiting for question papers and other examination materials several hours after the paper was expected to begin.

At some centres, candidates were informed that the required examination materials had yet to arrive.

A school principal, who requested anonymity, expressed frustration over what he described as a recurring problem that should have been addressed after last year's experience.

“Why are we experiencing this again after what happened last year? Apart from the security concerns in the country, these delays have psychological effects on candidates. Imagine preparing for an examination scheduled for noon and eventually writing it at 7 p.m. or later.”

The principal noted that many education stakeholders had expected the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to implement measures that would prevent a repeat of the disruptions witnessed in previous years.

Parents have also voiced their displeasure over the situation. One parent in Lekki said the prolonged delays were not only affecting students' welfare but also raising serious questions about examination logistics and management.

“My child returned home around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. We expected lessons would have been learned from last year’s experience, but the same issues are happening again.” 

The delays have also triggered reactions on social media, where parents and concerned citizens complained about the late commencement of examinations, shortages of question papers, and the overall impact on candidates.

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Some users alleged that examination supervisors arrived hours behind schedule at certain centres, while others claimed that students were being asked to pay for mathematical sets required for the examinations.

Several commentators questioned how candidates could be expected to maintain concentration after waiting an entire day to sit for their papers, while others raised concerns about the safety of students returning home late at night.

Responding to the growing criticism, a WAEC official who was not authorised to speak publicly acknowledged the challenges and assured stakeholders that efforts were underway to resolve the issues.

“Yes, we are aware of some hitches due to unforeseen circumstances. However, we are doing everything possible to address the issues, and hopefully, things will return to normal soon.”-

Although WAEC has yet to release an official public statement explaining the disruptions, stakeholders are calling on the examination body to provide clarity on the causes of the delays and outline concrete measures to prevent future occurrences.

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The recurring logistical setbacks have once again placed the spotlight on examination management in Nigeria, with many urging authorities to prioritise efficiency, candidate welfare, and the integrity of the examination process.

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