WAEC Drops 24-Hour Exam Delivery Policy After Fatal Crash Kills Three Officials

WAEC Drops 24-Hour Exam Delivery Policy After Fatal Crash Kills Three Officials

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reverted to its traditional 48-hour examination material distribution system after a controversial 24-hour delivery policy triggered nationwide logistical disruptions, late-night examinations and the tragic death of three officials in Gombe State.

The decision comes amid growing criticism from parents, school administrators, education stakeholders and lawmakers over the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which has been plagued by delays in the delivery of question papers to examination centres across the country.

Investigations indicate that the 24-hour delivery model was introduced by WAEC management as part of efforts to strengthen exam security and prevent the leakage of examination papers. The policy significantly reduced the time between the printing of question papers and their delivery to custodial centres nationwide.

However, insiders familiar with WAEC operations disclosed that the examination body traditionally relied on a 48-hour distribution cycle, which provided sufficient time for the secure transportation of examination materials across Nigeria’s vast and often challenging road network.

The compressed timeline reportedly placed enormous pressure on logistics personnel responsible for transporting sensitive examination materials. Staff members were forced to embark on long-distance journeys within a limited period, often travelling overnight through difficult road conditions and security-prone routes.

The challenges soon became evident as examination centres across several states reported delays in receiving question papers. Thousands of candidates were left waiting for hours before examinations could commence.

In some locations, students sat for papers late into the evening under poor lighting conditions, while others reportedly depended on alternative light sources to complete their examinations. The situation sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the welfare of candidates.

The latest disruptions also revived memories of similar challenges recorded during previous examination cycles. Earlier this year, WAEC acknowledged that examination leakages, security concerns and logistical setbacks contributed to delays that forced some candidates to write papers at unusually late hours.

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As pressure mounted on the examination body, a tragic incident further exposed the risks associated with the new delivery framework.

Last Wednesday, three WAEC officials lost their lives in a fatal road accident while transporting confidential examination materials along the Gombe-Yola Road in Gombe State.

The deceased officials were identified as Eleshin Dennis Olayinka, Dan-Malam Add’ua Muhammed and Yusuf Umar Gwamna.

According to reports, the officials were travelling in a pick-up van loaded with examination materials when an oncoming trailer allegedly veered off its lane and collided head-on with their vehicle near Billiri Local Government Area.

The impact of the crash reportedly killed all three officials instantly.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the council and reportedly affected the morale of several field officers involved in the ongoing examination exercise.

In an emotional condolence message circulated to staff members nationwide, WAEC’s Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, described the incident as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by council employees in the discharge of their duties.

He expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased officials and prayed for the strength to bear the loss.

Sources within the examination body disclosed that concerns about staff safety, operational sustainability and the growing public backlash over delayed examinations contributed to the decision to abandon the 24-hour delivery model.

WAEC has now restored the 48-hour distribution system in a move aimed at stabilising logistics operations and ensuring the smooth conduct of the remaining papers in the ongoing WASSCE examination.

The reversal is expected to ease pressure on delivery teams and reduce the likelihood of further delays in the movement of examination materials across the country.

The development has reignited debate about how best to balance exam security, operational efficiency and the welfare of both candidates and examination officials.

Education stakeholders have urged WAEC to adopt more sustainable solutions, including improved logistics planning, stronger collaboration with security agencies and the deployment of technology-driven measures to safeguard examination materials.

Many observers believe the latest crisis provides an opportunity for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s examination administration framework to ensure that efforts to curb malpractice do not compromise the safety of personnel or the academic experience of candidates.

As the WAEC examination continues nationwide, stakeholders are hopeful that the return to the 48-hour distribution model will help restore confidence in the examination process and prevent further disruptions.

WAEC Drops 24-Hour Exam Delivery Policy After Fatal Crash Kills Three Officials