WAEC Workers Begin Nationwide Showdown Over Pay Dispute, Recruitment Allegations

A fresh labour crisis is threatening operations at West African Examinations Council as workers across Nigeria prepare for a three-day protest over alleged management intimidation, disputed salary policies and controversial recruitment decisions.

The industrial action, led by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at WAEC’s national headquarters in Lagos before extending to regional and state offices nationwide.

Union leaders accuse WAEC management of sidelining staff welfare and imposing policies without proper consultation, warning that frustration among workers has reached breaking point.

In a letter dated May 5 and signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi, the union outlined several unresolved grievances, including the suspension of staff upgrade programmes, alleged breach of seniority procedures, recruitment irregularities and the establishment of investigative panels without union involvement.

The union also criticised proposed salary-related policies, especially the controversial minimum net pay plan, as well as recent changes introduced to the structure and duration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

NASU said members from branches across the country unanimously approved the protest after a seven-day ultimatum to management expired without what the union described as meaningful engagement.

The union further warned that the action could escalate beyond the planned three days if authorities fail to address workers’ demands.

In response, WAEC management denied several of the allegations and insisted the council remains committed to staff welfare and due process.

The examination body said some of the policy changes were introduced in compliance with directives from the Federal Ministry of Education and clarified that the proposed minimum net pay policy had already been suspended.

WAEC also assured candidates, schools and parents that the 2026 WASSCE examinations for nearly 2 million students across 24,207 schools would proceed without disruption despite the looming protest.

However, education stakeholders remain concerned about possible operational setbacks, especially after previous industrial actions by WAEC workers disrupted activities in several Lagos offices in 2024.