Candidates participating in the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across Osun State have raised concerns over persistent delays in the conduct of some examination papers, a development that has disrupted schedules and left many students stranded at their examination centres.

The examination, which commenced on April 21, 2026, had reportedly progressed smoothly until Monday, June 1, when candidates experienced significant delays in the distribution of question papers.

According to reports gathered by Redio Afinju, the first paper scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. did not commence until about 2:30 p.m., forcing candidates to wait for several hours before writing the examination.

The delay also affected the second paper of the day. The examination, originally scheduled for 2:00 p.m., reportedly started around 4:30 p.m., delaying students’ return home and reducing the time available for preparation ahead of the following day’s papers.

Findings by our correspondent indicate that the situation persisted on Tuesday, June 2. As of 1:00 p.m., candidates scheduled to sit for Civic Education, a paper slated for 9:30 a.m., were still waiting at various examination centres across the state for the commencement of the examination.

The delay has further created uncertainty over the timing of subsequent papers scheduled for the day.

Reliable sources disclosed that officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) attributed the development to logistical challenges affecting the distribution of examination materials.

Although the delay was reported across several parts of Osun State, Redio Afinju correspondents gathered that no examination centre in Obokun Local Government Area had commenced the Civic Education paper as of 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Reports from both public and private schools in Egbedore and Olorunda Local Government Areas also indicated that examinations had yet to commence, with sources claiming that examination materials had not arrived in the state at the time.

Meanwhile, reports reaching Redio Afinju indicate that the situation is not the same in some other parts of the country. Sources revealed that candidates in several states, including Ekiti State, had successfully completed the first paper of the day while candidates across Osun State were still awaiting the commencement of their examination.

The situation has heightened concerns among students, parents, and school administrators over the prolonged delays being experienced in the state.

The latest development has also revived memories of a similar incident recorded during the 2025 WASSCE. Redio Afinju had reported widespread outrage on the night of May 28, 2025, when the late arrival of examination materials reportedly forced candidates in some parts of Osun State to sit for examinations at night.

At the time, no examination centre in Ejigbo and Obokun Local Government Areas had commenced the examination as of 8:46 p.m. Students of MOLEK Islamic Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, and Osogbo Grammar School reportedly began writing their papers at about 8:00 p.m., while anxious parents and guardians waited outside the school premises for their wards.

Observers have expressed concern that the recurrence of such delays could negatively affect candidates’ performance and overall examination experience if urgent measures are not taken to address the underlying logistical challenges.

As of the time of filing this report, WAEC had yet to issue an official public statement on the situation in Osun State. However, the examination body recently assured candidates nationwide of its commitment to the seamless, hitch-free, and successful conduct of the ongoing 2026 WASSCE for school candidates.