The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has come under intense criticism following widespread reports that candidates sitting for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) were forced to write their examinations late into the night using torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar lamps after significant delays in the delivery of examination materials.
The incident, which affected examination centres across Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states, sparked outrage among parents, students and education stakeholders who described the situation as unacceptable, unsafe and a reflection of serious logistical shortcomings.
According to reports, several examinations scheduled for afternoon sessions failed to commence at the designated time due to delays in the arrival of question papers and other examination materials. In some centres, candidates reportedly waited for hours before examinations eventually began between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.
As a result, many students were compelled to continue writing well into the night, with some examination sessions extending beyond 10pm under poor lighting conditions.
Affected subjects reportedly included Physics, Mathematics, Government and Agricultural Science, while some centres also experienced shortages and delays in the distribution of question papers.
Videos circulating on social media showed candidates struggling to complete their examinations in dark classrooms illuminated by torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar-powered lamps. The footage triggered widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about the welfare and safety of candidates during national examinations.
Parents and guardians expressed frustration over the development, questioning why students preparing for critical examinations were subjected to such stressful and potentially dangerous conditions.
Education stakeholders also faulted the examination body’s logistics arrangements, arguing that the delays could negatively affect candidates’ concentration, performance and overall examination experience.
Reacting to the incident, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the delays and called for urgent reforms to improve examination logistics and safety standards across the country.
The student body urged relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disruption and implement measures to prevent a recurrence in future examination cycles.
NANS maintained that candidates should not be exposed to conditions that could compromise their safety, well-being or academic performance.
Meanwhile, WAEC has acknowledged concerns surrounding the incident and is expected to issue an official statement addressing the disruptions and the circumstances that led to the delays.
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