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 question papers and answer booklets arrived several hours behind schedule at numerous examination centres.

The disruptions, recorded on both Wednesday and Thursday, were particularly severe in Ibadan, Iseyin, and Oyo towns in Oyo State, the Lekki axis of Lagos State, and Osogbo in Osun State, where some centres did not receive materials until late evening.

Candidates sitting for General Mathematics Objective on Wednesday began writing as late as 6.30 pm at some centres, while others commenced around 8.30 pm and finished after 10 pm. On Thursday, candidates scheduled to sit Agriculture Science Practical, with the first batch fixed for 2 pm and the second for 3.30 pm, were still waiting at some Oyo State centres as late as 8 pm.

With classrooms already dark, some candidates moved their desks outdoors to use available light, while others relied on torchlights, mobile phone flashlights, and solar powered lamps to write their papers.

One parent in Oyo State disclosed that his child called from the examination centre at 9 pm to report that materials had still not arrived.

"It is 9 pm, and my child called that the examination is yet to start. The school staff members are still waiting for WAEC officials to bring the examination questions," the parent stated.

A Lagos parent confirmed that her child returned home around 10 pm after sitting Wednesday's paper.

The delays extended to Monday, when candidates reportedly waited several hours before sitting Physics Essay and Physics Objective papers, scheduled for 2 pm and 3.30 pm respectively.

A social media user identified as Walestart wrote on X: "WAEC can do better. Since Monday, the paper has been coming so late. But today is the worst."

An X user identified as Mum Ire alleged that only 35 copies of Mathematics questions were supplied for 75 candidates at one centre, adding that Agriculture Science practical questions were still in transit at 8.10 pm.

The West African Examinations Council attributed the delays to anti malpractice measures, logistical challenges, security concerns, and sociocultural factors.

The disruptions were further compounded by the death of three WAEC officials on Wednesday in a road accident along the Gombe Yola highway.

The incidents contradict assurances given by the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, before the 2026 examination commenced.

"We have learnt from our glitches. We have perfected everything, and I speak authoritatively that we will not have a repeat of that glitch. It will not happen again in terms of result release issues or any form of disruption," Dangut had assured.

Efforts to reach the Head of Public Affairs of WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.