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2026 WASSCE: Oyo raises concern over late-night exams

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Oyo State Government expressed concern over significant delays in the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
  • Examination materials for some papers arrived late, forcing candidates to sit for exams well into the night, contrary to the approved timetable.
  • The state government urged the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to reschedule late-arriving papers and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

The Oyo State Government has voiced strong concerns regarding disruptions and delays experienced by students during the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

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.

— Olusegun OlayiwolaThe Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology detailing the late arrival of examination materials.

Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, conveyed the government's displeasure over the "avoidable stress, anxiety and risks" faced by candidates. Reports confirmed that examination materials for papers scheduled on Thursday, June 4, 2026, did not reach several centers across Oyo State until approximately 6:30 p.m. This late arrival made it difficult for candidates to commence and complete their examinations as planned.

Specifically, the Government (Objective) and Agricultural Science (Practical) papers were affected. By 8:11 p.m., some centers were still conducting the Government paper, with the Agricultural Science Practical exam yet to begin. A similar issue occurred on June 3, 2026, when Mathematics (Objective) papers were supplied in insufficient quantities, causing delays that extended examination activities late into the night.

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.

— Olusegun OlayiwolaProviding specific details about the delayed papers and their impact on candidates.

While acknowledging that WAEC is an international body beyond the state's direct control, the Oyo State government appealed to the examination body to take proactive measures. They recommended rescheduling any paper that cannot be delivered to centers by 4:00 p.m. on the examination day. This measure, they believe, will protect candidates from undue stress and anxiety among parents and stakeholders, ensuring a more conducive environment for assessments.

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.

— Olusegun OlayiwolaAcknowledging WAEC's autonomy while urging for preventative actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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