Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Workers’ unions of the West African Examinations Council in Nigeria on Wednesday commenced a three-day nationwide protest over unresolved welfare issues and alleged unfair labour practices.
The protest, organised by the Non-Academic Staff Union of
Educational and Associated Institutions, began at the WAEC national office in
Yaba, Lagos, as early as 8:00 a.m., with parallel actions held at regional and
state offices nationwide.
The action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum
issued by NASU national leadership to WAEC management over nine key demands,
including alleged irregular recruitment practices and poor staff welfare
conditions.
WAEC Nigeria, alongside four other member countries — Ghana,
Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia — is currently conducting the 2026
May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination, with 1,959,636
candidates from 24,207 schools participating nationwide.
The Head of National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Dr Amos Dangut,
had on Monday expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the examination,
assuring stakeholders that measures had been put in place to avert a recurrence
of the glitches recorded in the 2025 edition, when some candidates reportedly
wrote papers late into the night.
However, the aggrieved workers insisted that the industrial
action was unavoidable, citing unresolved grievances with management.
The nine-point demands of the workers were contained in a
letter issued by the NASU national body to Dangut, dated May 5, 2026.
Signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the letter
was titled, “Re: A Call For Immediate Stop to the Shady Recruitment Interview
Practices.”
The union warned that workers would embark on the three-day
protest if management failed to address the issues within seven days.
The letter read in part, “Kindly refer to our letter on the
above subject referenced NASU/EBL/88/VOL.XVIII/198 dated 21st March, 2026 and
your response to the same, which we shared with our Branch Executive Officers.”
It added, “The Branch Executive Officers have expressed
concerns that the issues raised in our letter remain unresolved. These have
further given rise to additional issues requiring your immediate attention.”
Speaking on the protest, the Chairman of NASU-WAEC, Mr
Kayode Ogunyade, said the action, scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon daily for
three days, was intended to compel management to return to the negotiation
table.
“The protest is to press home our demands and get management
back to the table,” Ogunyade said.
He added that the action was also a warning signal to
management over the growing frustrations of workers.
“If these issues are not addressed, it simply means
management is not ready to resolve them,” he warned.
Ogunyade, however, noted that further action after the
three-day protest would be determined by NASU national leadership.
Reacting, WAEC, through its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola
Adesina, assured candidates, parents, school owners and stakeholders that the
ongoing WASSCE would not be disrupted.
“The West African Examinations Council wishes to reassure
candidates, parents, school owners, stakeholders and the general public of its
unwavering commitment to the seamless, hitch-free and successful conduct of the
ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School
Candidates, 2026,” the statement read.
The council said the examination had continued uninterrupted
despite the protest by some categories of workers.
It added that it respects the rights of workers and unions
to express grievances within the ambit of the law, stressing that management
had taken steps to address the issues raised.
“The Council, as a law-abiding organisation, respects the
rights of unions and staff members to peacefully express their grievances
within the ambit of the law,” it said.
WAEC explained that the adjustment in examination days was
necessitated by the streamlining of subjects from 76 to 38, adding that the
shorter timetable reflected the revised structure and hybrid mode of
examination delivery.
It also dismissed allegations of indiscriminate dismissal
and unfair sanctions, stating that disciplinary matters were handled in line
with its staff handbook and statutory provisions.
“The assertion of incessant dismissal and disproportionate
sanction is not correct,” the council said.
It further explained that the engagement of contract
Examination Officers and Assistant Examination Officers was part of measures to
manage rising workloads and ensure efficiency across the sub-region.
WAEC added that management was already in dialogue with the
union and had put measures in place to ensure that the examination timetable
remained undisturbed.
The council urged the public to disregard rumours or
misinformation capable of causing panic over the conduct of the examination.
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