Workers’ Victimisation: NASU threatens to picket WAEC offices nationwide

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), threatening to shut down its offices nationwide and commence an indefinite strike if workers’ grievances are not addressed.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi accused WAEC management of victimising union leaders, suppressing trade unionism, and withholding workers’ check-off dues. He warned that failure to meet the union’s demands by March 24 would lead to industrial action.

According to Adeyemi, the dispute stems from WAEC’s handling of workers’ entitlements, particularly the N35,000 palliative approved by the federal government in 2023. While other government employees received the full amount for six months, WAEC reportedly paid only N25,000 for three months. Additionally, the examination body allegedly implemented a 25% salary increment instead of the agreed 30%.

He further alleged that following a workers’ strike in December demanding the full 30% salary increment, WAEC management retaliated by reducing the increment to 27.5%, suppressing union activities, and attempting to transfer union leaders out of the headquarters.

“These actions violate labour laws in Nigeria and internationally,” Adeyemi stated. “We demand an immediate end to all forms of victimisation, respect for workers’ rights to unionise, and the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 10, 2025.”

NASU has vowed to proceed with the shutdown if its demands are not met, potentially disrupting WAEC’s operations nationwide.