Workers of the West African Examinations Council have embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike, pledging to maintain the industrial action until their grievances are resolved.
The strike, which began on Monday, December 9, has paralyzed activities across WAEC offices nationwide, as workers—including drivers, cleaners, utility staff, and office assistants—have abandoned their duties.
The protest stems from two key issues: management’s reluctance to implement a 30 percent salary increment and the dismissal of four junior staff members at the Ikeja Zonal Office, which the union claims was unjust.
Speaking on the strike, the congress chairman of the WAEC branch of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Mr. Kayode Ogunyade, disclosed that the union had made repeated efforts to engage WAEC’s management on improving workers’ welfare.
He emphasized the need for a 135 percent salary increase in line with adjustments to the national minimum wage for Nigerian government workers.
“Workers demanded a salary increase of this percentage across all cadres and levels (ECSS 1-17) to cope with financial challenges, especially given the harsh economic realities,” he explained.
Ogunyade further revealed that after protracted negotiations, both parties had agreed on a 30 percent increment.
However, WAEC management unilaterally implemented a 25 percent raise in November, breaching the agreed terms.
“To us, this decision by the management is a breach of trust, undermining the spirit of collective bargaining in labor laws and workers’ rights,” Ogunyade stated.
Last week, a virtual town hall meeting involving the management and workers nationwide failed to resolve the matter.
The union maintained its demand for a 30 percent increase, while management insisted it could only afford 25 percent without jeopardizing the organization’s operational efficiency.
Additionally, the union is demanding the reinstatement of four cleaners at the Ikeja Zonal Office, who were dismissed despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by a disciplinary committee.
“We believe they were unjustly relieved of their appointments, even though they were contract staff, and they deserved fair treatment,” Ogunyade said.
The union has vowed not to yield to threats of mass dismissals of junior staff participating in the strike.
“We met yesterday with management for more than three hours at WAEC headquarters in Lagos. The meeting ended in a deadlock, as no agreement was reached,” Ogunyade added.
He also expressed confidence in WAEC’s financial capacity to meet the demands.
“We know the financial status of WAEC because we are in-house, and we believe the organization could even go beyond a 30 percent increase if there is political will, especially from the leadership,” Ogunyade asserted.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amos Dangut, WAEC’s Head of the National Office, confirmed the meeting with union leaders, describing it as “fruitful.”
“Our meeting was a fruitful one. We agreed that they should discontinue their strike while management addresses their concerns. So, we don’t expect them to continue with the strike, as we have agreed to resolve the outstanding issues amicably,” Dangut stressed.
However, when asked if the management had approved the 30 percent salary increase, he responded, “The issue is being addressed.”
