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The ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has been disrupted by significant delays, forcing candidates in some centres to write examination papers late into the night.

The development has sparked concern among parents, school administrators and education stakeholders, coming barely a year after similar incidents saw candidates sitting for examinations as late as midnight.

Checks across several centres in Lagos, particularly on Lagos Island and in the Lekki axis, revealed that the delays became more pronounced this week.

On Monday, Physics Papers 2 and 1, scheduled to hold between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., reportedly did not commence on time, with some candidates writing the second paper at about 8 p.m.

Similarly, on Wednesday, candidates sitting for General Mathematics experienced major disruptions. The essay paper, slated for 9:30 a.m. to noon, and the objective paper, scheduled for 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., were reportedly concluded around 10 p.m.

As of Thursday evening, candidates scheduled to sit for Agricultural Science Practical were still waiting for examination materials several hours after the paper was expected to begin.

Candidates at some centres were reportedly informed that examination materials had yet to arrive.

A school principal, who spoke anonymously, expressed disappointment over the recurring challenges.

“Why are we experiencing this again after what happened last year? Apart from the security concerns in the country, these delays have psychological effects on candidates. Imagine preparing for an examination scheduled for noon and eventually writing it at 7 p.m. or later,” the principal said.

He added that many stakeholders had expected WAEC to have addressed the challenges following last year’s incidents.

A parent in Lekki also criticised the situation, saying the delays were affecting students’ welfare and raising concerns about examination management.

“My child returned home around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. We expected lessons would have been learned from last year’s experience, but the same issues are happening again,” he said.

The issue has also generated reactions on social media, where several parents and concerned citizens complained about delayed commencement of examinations, shortages of question papers and the impact on students.

Some users alleged that candidates in certain centres had to wait hours before examination supervisors arrived, while others claimed schools were demanding payments for mathematics sets used during the examination.

One parent questioned how candidates could be expected to remain focused after spending an entire day waiting to write examinations, while others raised concerns about students’ safety and well-being as they returned home late at night.

Responding to the concerns, a WAEC official who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter confirmed that the council was aware of the challenges and was working to address them.

“Yes, we are aware of some hitches due to unforeseen circumstances. However, we are doing everything possible to address the issues, and hopefully, things will return to normal soon,” the official said.

The examination body has yet to issue an official public statement on the delays. However, stakeholders are urging WAEC to provide clarity on the causes of the disruptions and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.

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The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has released an updated list of 117 universities approved to offer Law programmes in Nigeria, warning prospective students and their parents against seeking admission into institutions that lack the necessary accreditation.

In a public notice issued on Thursday and shared on the Council’s official Facebook page, the regulatory body cautioned that graduates of unaccredited Law programmes would not be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School.

The notice, signed by the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Mrs. Aderonke Osho, stressed that only graduates of Law programmes approved by the Council of Legal Education would be considered for admission into the Nigerian Law School.

“Students admitted into Law programmes in universities that are not accredited by the Council of Legal Education will not be eligible for admission into the Nigerian Law School,” the statement said.

The Council further warned that universities admitting students into Law programmes without its approval are in violation of the regulations governing legal education in Nigeria and may face sanctions in line with existing laws and policies.

According to the notice, the Council has approved 117 universities across the country to admit students into the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree programme.

In Nigeria, graduates of Law must undergo practical legal training at the Nigerian Law School and be called to the Bar before they can practise as legal practitioners.

The Council of Legal Education is the statutory body responsible for regulating legal education in Nigeria and supervising the Nigerian Law School. Established under the Legal Education (Consolidation) Act, the Council accredits universities offering Law programmes and ensures compliance with prescribed standards for legal training.

Among the institutions approved to offer the LL.B programme are:

Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State
Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State
Adamawa State University, Mubi, Adamawa State
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta State
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State
Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno State
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
American University of Nigeria, Yola, Adamawa State
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos State
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
Ave Maria University, Piyanko, Nasarawa State
Azman University, Kano, Kano State
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State
Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
Baze University, Abuja (currently under a three-year admission moratorium from the 2023/2024 to the 2025/2026 academic sessions as approved by the Council)
Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State
Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State
Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State
Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State
Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State
Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, Delta State
Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State
Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
El-Amin University, Minna, Niger State
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu State
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

The Council advised prospective students to verify the accreditation status of any university’s Law programme before accepting admission offers to avoid jeopardising their future legal careers.

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The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy, PVD, has taken Chief Kefas Ropshik, popularly known as Kefiano, to task over the controversy surrounding land allocation at the Agricultural Services and Training Centre, ASTC, BARC Farm, accusing him of attempting to politicise what it described as a clear case of violation of government policy and due process.

In a strongly worded reaction, the group, through its national coordinator, Chris Ishaku, said the clarification issued by the management of ASTC had exposed the attempt by Ropshik to present himself as a victim when, in reality, the issue bordered on compliance, fairness and the equitable distribution of public agricultural resources.

According to PVD, it was disturbing that a man who claims to be a champion of the people would seek to hold on to land already earmarked for youth groups and other beneficiaries under Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s agricultural empowerment programme.

The group said the controversy should not be reduced to politics, stressing that the BARC Farm remains a public asset designed to create opportunities for thousands of Plateau citizens, not a private estate to be cornered by politically exposed individuals.

“The facts are now clear. Chief Kefas Ropshik was allocated 100 hectares of land for the 2025 farming season under conditions that applied to every other participant.

Government cleared the land for him at no cost, gave him access to equipment and supported cultivation activities.

But instead of respecting the limits of his allocation, he allegedly extended his operations into another 100 hectares without authorisation,” Ishaku said.

PVD noted that the state government, through ASTC, had shown good faith by not disrupting Ropshik’s activities during the 2025 farming season, even after he moved beyond his approved allocation. The group said that gesture should have been appreciated, not abused.

It added that the additional 100 hectares had already been earmarked for other beneficiaries under the 2026 farming framework, especially youth groups expected to benefit from the government’s renewed drive to expand agricultural opportunities.

PVD said it was within this vision that the government mapped out 1,000 hectares for the 2026 farming season and divided them into 200 units of five hectares each for allocation to 200 youth groups, with each group made up of five members. It also noted that about 200 hand tillers had been procured to support the beneficiaries.

The group said any attempt by one individual to frustrate such a programme in the name of personal ambition or political grievance should be resisted by well-meaning Plateau citizens.

“What Chief Ropshik is doing is not activism. It is not people-oriented politics. It is not defence of the common man. If land that should go to 200 youth groups is being encroached upon by one man, then Plateau people must ask: who is really standing with the people?” PVD asked.

The group also faulted what it described as Ropshik’s attempt to drag Governor Mutfwang into an administrative matter, insisting that the governor’s only interest is to ensure that BARC Farm is used productively for the benefit of the people.

PVD said the claim of political persecution was weak and unconvincing, especially as ASTC made it clear that Ropshik was neither denied access to the 100 hectares legitimately allocated to him nor barred from applying for additional land through proper channels.

“At no point was Chief Ropshik stopped from farming on the land properly allocated to him. At no point was he denied access to agricultural opportunity. At no point was any action taken against him because of politics.

The issue is that he allegedly moved beyond the land given to him and entered an area already reserved for other citizens. He should answer that instead of playing politics,” Ishaku said.
PVD said Ropshik’s attempt to portray the matter as a political attack was not fitting for someone who presents himself as a defender of the people, adding that true leadership begins with discipline, restraint and respect for public institutions.
“It is even more disappointing that a man who does not have a solid political platform is trying to build relevance by attacking a government policy designed to empower the people. You cannot claim to speak for Plateau youths while standing in the way of land allocated to Plateau youths. That contradiction is too obvious to be ignored,” the group said.

PVD urged Ropshik to respect the 100 hectares allocated to him and apply formally if he genuinely requires additional land. It also commended ASTC management for clarifying the matter and insisting on transparency in the administration of the farm.

The group called on Plateau citizens to support the agricultural transformation policy of the Mutfwang administration, saying the revival of BARC Farm could become one of the strongest vehicles for job creation, food production and rural economic development in the state.

“For us, this is not about Kefiano. It is about whether public resources will be shared fairly or captured by a few.

The Mutfwang administration is trying to open the door for young people, host communities and ordinary farmers to benefit from BARC Farm. Any attempt to block that door must be rejected,” PVD said.