Thousands of candidates sitting the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in Oyo, Lagos and Osun states wrote their papers late into the night this week after examination materials arrived several hours behind schedule, renewing concerns about the conduct of the national examination.

The disruptions, which spanned Monday to Thursday, affected centres in Ibadan, Iseyin and Oyo towns, the Lekki axis of Lagos and Osogbo in Osun State. Candidates sitting the Agriculture Science Practical on Thursday waited hours past the scheduled 2 pm and 3.30 pm start times, with some centres in Oyo State yet to commence the examination as of 8 pm.

On Wednesday, General Mathematics Objective papers began as late as 6.30 pm in some centres, with others starting around 8.30 pm and finishing after 10 pm. With classrooms already dark, candidates moved desks outdoors to write by available light, while others used torchlights, mobile phone flashlights and solar powered lamps.

A parent in Oyo State confirmed his child was still waiting at 9 pm. "It is 9 pm, and my child called to say that the examination is yet to start. The school staff members are still waiting for WAEC officials to bring the examination questions," the parent noted.

A Lagos parent added that her child returned home at 10 pm on Wednesday after sitting the Mathematics paper.

Shortages compounded the delays. A social media user, Mum Ire, alleged that only 35 copies of Mathematics questions were supplied to a centre accommodating 75 candidates. "Out of 75 candidates, only 35 Mathematics questions were brought to the examination centre for the entire exam yesterday," she wrote on X.

Social media users raised security concerns over the night time sittings. Ibrahim posted: "Right now in Oyo State, WAEC students are just starting their paper by 7 pm, even with all the insecurity out there." Several users warned that WAEC would be held responsible for any harm to candidates or invigilators.

The West African Examinations Council attributed the delays to anti malpractice measures, logistical challenges and security concerns. Some observers linked this week's disruptions to the deaths of three WAEC logistics officials in a road accident along the Gombe-Yola highway on Wednesday.

WAEC's Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, did not respond to calls or messages before this report was filed.

The disruptions follow assurances by the Head of WAEC Nigeria National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, that the challenges of the 2025 WASSCE would not recur. "We have perfected everything, and I speak authoritatively that we will not have a repeat of that glitch," Dangut had stated before the examination began.