Images: WAEC Staff Demonstrate Against Alleged Harassment and Unjust Treatment

The nationwide protest by West African Examinations Council workers over unresolved welfare concerns and alleged unfair labour practices entered its second day on Thursday, with the council's national office in Yaba, Lagos, being temporarily paralysed. The protest, which was organised by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, saw workers marching from the WAEC headquarters in Yaba to the council's Special Printing Division in Somolu before returning to the head office.

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The protesters, who began their demonstration around 7am, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanding improved welfare conditions and an end to what they described as "impunity" and "discriminatory practices" within the examination body.

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The industrial action, which is expected to last three days, stalled activities at the Yaba office, with parents, candidates, and other visitors being asked to return later in the day after the demonstration.

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Chairman of NASU-WAEC, Mr Kayode Ogunyade, accused the Head of National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Amos Dangut, of allegedly undermining acceptable labour practices and imposing excessive workload on workers during the protest.

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Ogunyade stated that the protest aimed to draw public attention to what workers described as growing intimidation and suppression within the council, with the union being the only recognised labour body within the council.

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He alleged that management had made efforts to weaken the union's influence and that union members had faced intimidation and punitive measures following previous disagreements with management, particularly after the workers' strike over minimum wage issues in December 2024.

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Ogunyade claimed that since the strike action, workers had faced dismissal and punishment, and that the management had placed undue pressure on workers through unrealistic examination scheduling despite dwindling manpower.

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He explained that some workers who participated in last year's examination had died, while others had resigned, retired, or were on interdiction, and that reducing staff strength while compressing the examination timetable into three weeks created pressure on workers.

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According to Ogunyade, WAEC workers cover all 774 local government areas across the country during examinations, distributing question papers to supervisors conducting examinations at various centres, and that WAEC has the largest coverage due to its extensive operational reach.

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Ogunyade also criticised the alleged recruitment of contract Examination Officers and Assistant Examination Officers without due process, stating that while contract staffing was not a problem, due process must be followed.

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He added that concerns over career progression and alleged irregularities in staff recruitment had also contributed to the protest, with the union seeking to address these issues through the industrial action.

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When asked whether management had opened fresh discussions with the union since the protest began, Ogunyade said no meeting had been initiated, stating that if there was any meeting, he should have been informed first.

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The protest followed a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued by the NASU national leadership to WAEC management over nine demands bordering on staff welfare, disciplinary procedures, and recruitment practices.

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On Wednesday, WAEC had assured candidates, parents, and stakeholders that the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination would not be disrupted by the protest, with the council maintaining that the examination process remained seamless despite the industrial action.

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WAEC defended the adjustment of the examination timetable, explaining that the reduction in examination duration was necessitated by the streamlining of subjects from 76 to 38, and that disciplinary actions against workers were carried out in line with its regulations.

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The council denied allegations of indiscriminate dismissals or unfair sanctions, stating that its actions were in accordance with its rules and procedures.