The internal crisis rocking the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified after workers formally demanded the removal of the council’s Head of National Office (HNO), Dr Amos Dangut, amid ongoing disputes over welfare issues and alleged unfair labour practices.
The fresh development comes days after WAEC workers embarked on a nationwide warning protest that disrupted activities across several offices nationwide.
Workers under the umbrella of the Non-Academic Staff Union of
Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), WAEC branch, accused the management of failing to resolve longstanding grievances despite prolonged negotiations.
According to reports, union leaders now believe the removal of the HNO has become the only solution capable of restoring stability within the examination body.
The latest demand reportedly followed a marathon meeting between WAEC management and NASU representatives that lasted for more than nine hours but ended without major progress.
Union officials claimed management only agreed to address a small number of less critical demands while ignoring several major issues raised by workers.
The dispute has added new pressure on WAEC at a particularly sensitive time, with the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) currently ongoing across Nigeria and other member countries.
More than 1.9 million candidates are participating in the examination nationwide, increasing public concern over potential disruptions.
NASU had earlier organised a three-day nationwide protest over allegations involving poor staff welfare, irregular recruitment practices, unfair labour policies, and management highhandedness.
The industrial action affected WAEC offices in Lagos and several states across the country.
Among the grievances listed by workers are the suspension of staff upgrade programmes, alleged imposition of controversial pay policies, constitution of disciplinary panels without union representation, irregular promotion practices, and excessive workload.
Union leaders also accused management of disregarding staff welfare concerns and violating seniority principles during appointments and promotions.
The crisis highlights growing labour tensions within one of West Africa’s most important educational institutions.
WAEC plays a critical role in coordinating secondary school examinations across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
Analysts say instability within the examination body could have broader implications for educational administration and public confidence in examination systems.
Millions of students, parents, schools, and universities rely heavily on WAEC examinations for academic progression and admission processes.
The timing of the protest has also drawn attention because it coincides with ongoing efforts by WAEC to improve the credibility and efficiency of examinations following controversies recorded in previous years.
The examination body had recently assured Nigerians that measures were already in place to prevent a repeat of the technical and logistical issues that affected some centres during earlier examinations.
Labour disputes within educational institutions are becoming increasingly common as inflation and economic hardship continue affecting workers across different sectors in Nigeria.
Rising living costs, salary concerns, and poor working conditions have triggered repeated protests and industrial actions nationwide.
Education stakeholders warn that unresolved labour crises could negatively affect examination logistics, staff morale, and administrative coordination within WAEC.
Smooth examination processes often depend heavily on effective cooperation between management and operational staff.
The union reportedly informed WAEC management directly that the demand for the HNO’s removal has now become its “number 13 agenda” after earlier demands failed to produce satisfactory outcomes.
While WAEC management has reportedly denied several allegations raised by the union, tensions continue escalating.
Officials maintain that some disputed policies were implemented in line with directives from the Federal Ministry of Education and existing operational frameworks.
Observers say the situation may test the Federal Government’s ability to mediate labour disputes within critical educational institutions.
Past industrial actions involving examination bodies and universities have often generated nationwide academic disruption and public anxiety.
The crisis additionally reflects broader structural challenges affecting Nigeria’s education sector.
Funding limitations, administrative disputes, infrastructure problems, and workforce dissatisfaction continue placing pressure on educational institutions nationwide.
Analysts believe prolonged tensions within WAEC could eventually affect examination scheduling, result processing, and institutional stability if negotiations completely collapse.
However, both management and labour representatives may still face pressure to avoid actions capable of disrupting examinations for millions of students.
Public concern has also increased because WAEC examinations remain one of the most important academic gateways for secondary school students across West Africa.
Any operational instability within the council often attracts immediate national attention.
Labour experts argue that early dialogue and transparent conflict resolution mechanisms remain essential for preventing escalation.
Educational institutions handling large-scale national responsibilities are generally expected to maintain stable industrial relations to protect public confidence.
For now, the deepening WAEC crisis has placed the examination body under intensified scrutiny as workers continue pushing for major leadership and policy changes.
As negotiations remain unresolved, attention will likely remain focused on whether authorities can successfully prevent the labour dispute from affecting ongoing examinations and broader educational operations nationwide.