WAEC Staff Begin Nationwide Protest Over Alleged Management Policies

(WAEC. Photo by Businessday)

Staff of the Nigeria National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) are preparing to embark on a three-day protest action over a range of grievances bordering on alleged management excesses, irregular recruitment practices, and the unilateral imposition of pay-related policies.

The industrial action, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday at the council's Lagos headquarters, is expected to extend to WAEC offices across the country, including regional and state-level offices.

The protest is being spearheaded by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), which has accused the WAEC management of making unilateral decisions, disregarding seniority principles, and taking punitive administrative measures against staff members.

In a letter dated May 5 and signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, the union outlined its grievances and gave management a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the issues before proceeding with the planned action.

Key complaints include the suspension of staff upgrade programmes, the alleged forced introduction of a minimum net pay policy, the setting up of investigative panels without prior consultation with the union, concerns over recruitment practices, and modifications to the structure of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Following an online meeting of its branches nationwide, NASU confirmed that its members unanimously resolved to go ahead with the protest after the ultimatum elapsed without satisfactory resolution. The union also warned that the action could be escalated if management continues to ignore its demands.

In response, WAEC management, in a letter dated May 8, denied a number of the allegations, maintaining that it operates strictly within established conditions of service and has consistently been responsive to staff concerns.

The council also clarified that certain policy decisions, including changes to the duration of the WASSCE, were implemented in accordance with directives from the Federal Ministry of Education.

Management further disclosed that it had already suspended the proposed minimum net pay policy and noted that existing grievance channels are available for staff to seek redress through proper procedures.

Despite assurances from WAEC that it remains committed to conducting a smooth 2026 WASSCE for nearly two million candidates specifically 1,959,636 students across 24,207 schools the looming protest has raised genuine concerns about potential disruptions to the examination process.

This is not the first time WAEC workers have taken such action, as similar industrial unrest in 2024 led to operational disruptions at several offices in Lagos. As of the time of filing this report, WAEC had yet to issue an official statement on the planned protest.