2026 WASSCE: Oyo raises concern over late-night exams

The Oyo State Government has expressed deep concern and sympathy for students, parents and guardians affected by the delays experienced during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council.

This was conveyed in a statement on Friday, issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan.

The statement said the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, conveyed the government’s displeasure over the avoidable stress, anxiety and risks to which candidates have been exposed as a result of the late commencement of some examination papers, contrary to the approved WAEC timetable.

Olayiwola stated, “reports received and subsequently verified indicated that examination materials for papers scheduled on Thursday, June 4, 2026, did not arrive at several examination centres across Oyo State at the stipulated time.

“Specifically, Government (Objective) and Agricultural Science (Practical) question papers reportedly did not reach many centres until about 6:30 p.m., making it difficult for candidates to sit for the examinations as scheduled and exposing them to unnecessary hardship.”

Olayiwola added revealed that as of 8:11 p.m., some examination centres in Ogbomoso and Saki were still conducting the Government (Objective) paper, while the Agricultural Science Practical examination, which was scheduled to follow, had yet to commence.

The Commissioner also noted that a similar challenge occurred on June 3, 2026, when Mathematics (Objective) question papers were reportedly supplied in insufficient quantities to several centres, resulting in delays that extended examination activities late into the night.

He disclosed that officials of the Ministry contacted the WAEC Zonal Coordinator, who attributed the delays to logistical challenges.

While emphasising that WAEC is an international examination body beyond the direct control of the Oyo State government, Hon. Olayiwola appealed to the examination body to take proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Oyo state government urged WAEC to consider rescheduling of any examination paper that could not be delivered to centres on or before 4:00 p.m on the day of the examination.

This, according to the commissioner, would help protect candidates from undue stress, safeguard their well-being, and prevent unnecessary anxiety among parents, guardians, and other stakeholders.

The government reiterated its commitment to the welfare, safety, and academic success of all students in the state, adding that it would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure conducive conditions for learning and assessment.

WASSCE is one of the most important secondary school examinations in Nigeria and other West African countries, serving as a key requirement for admission into tertiary institutions.

In recent years, concerns have occasionally been raised over delays in the distribution of examination materials, security challenges and logistical difficulties affecting the smooth conduct of examinations in some parts of the country.

Such disruptions often force candidates to remain at examination centres until late hours, raising concerns about their safety, welfare and performance.