The West African Examinations Council has attributed delays recorded in parts of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination to a fatal road accident, security concerns, and logistics problems affecting the movement of examination materials.

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

The council revealed that three of its officials died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in an accident along the Gombe Yola highway while transporting sensitive examination materials. It said the crash disrupted its distribution timetable and contributed to the late arrival of question papers and answer booklets in affected locations.

According to WAEC, the delay resulted from a combination of operational and logistical issues. These included the fatal accident, prevailing regional security challenges, problems linked to the finalisation of examination modalities, and the late registration of candidates.

The council stated, “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.

“This heartbreaking loss, coupled with prevailing regional security challenges, severely compromised our distribution schedule, which inadvertently led to the delayed start times.

“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.”

Last week, candidates in parts of Oyo, Lagos, and Osun states sat for Mathematics and Agricultural Science papers late into the evening. Some used torchlights, mobile phone flashlights, and solar powered lamps, while others moved outside classrooms after sunset to write under available light.

WAEC said security concerns, including protests triggered by the abduction of schoolchildren in some areas, also affected the movement of materials. It added that issues surrounding the finalisation of examination arrangements and late registration of candidates slowed the production and deployment of materials.

“The issues of finalising the mode of conduct of the examination and the subsequent late registration of candidates affected the timely preparation of examination materials.

“Security challenges which led to mass protests against the abduction of schoolchildren also affected the timely distribution of examination materials despite the council’s best efforts,” WAEC stated.

The council assured candidates, parents, and other stakeholders that measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence. It noted that the smooth conduct recorded on Friday, showed the challenges had largely been addressed.

The 2026 May/June WASSCE for school candidates began on Tuesday, April 21, and is scheduled to end on Friday, June 19, 2026.