The ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council, has been marred by widespread delays in several centres, forcing candidates to sit for papers late into the night and raising fresh concerns among parents and education stakeholders.
The disruptions were reported across parts of Lagos, particularly on Lagos Island and within the Lekki axis, where candidates experienced significant delays in the commencement of examinations this week.
On Monday, Physics Papers 2 and 1, originally scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., reportedly started several hours late in some centres, with candidates said to have begun one of the papers around 8 p.m.
A similar situation occurred on Wednesday during the General Mathematics examination. Candidates reportedly remained in examination halls for most of the day, with the essay and objective papers eventually concluding around 10 p.m., despite being scheduled to end earlier in the afternoon.
As of Thursday evening, some candidates waiting to sit for Agricultural Science Practical examinations were still stranded at their centres due to delays in the arrival of examination materials.
Several schools and parents expressed frustration over the recurring challenges, especially following similar incidents recorded during the 2025 WASSCE examinations.
A school principal, who spoke anonymously, said the repeated delays were affecting candidates psychologically and exposing them to security risks.
“Imagine preparing for an examination scheduled for noon and eventually writing it at 7 p.m. or later,” the principal said, questioning why lessons had not been learned from last year’s incidents.
Parents also voiced concerns over students returning home late at night. One parent in Lekki described the situation as unacceptable, saying his child arrived home around 10 p.m. after Wednesday’s examination.
The issue has also triggered reactions on social media, where users complained about delayed arrival of supervisors, shortages of question papers, and alleged demands for payments for mathematics sets in some schools.
Reacting to the development, a WAEC official acknowledged the disruptions, attributing them to unforeseen circumstances. The official said the council was working to resolve the challenges and restore normal examination schedules.
However, WAEC has yet to release an official public statement explaining the exact cause of the delays, as stakeholders continue to demand accountability and improved coordination to prevent further disruptions.
