The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has sought legal intervention from the National Industrial Court to prevent a strike organized by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). This move follows a 14-day ultimatum issued by the union on July 7, which centered on unfulfilled promises regarding employee welfare.
A public disagreement has emerged between the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the NASU-WAEC Nigeria Branch regarding the dispute’s origins. The NYCN, led by Isah Abubakar, claims the friction is rooted in sectional bias. Abubakar alleges that the Head of National Office, Prof. Amos Dangut, is facing unfair pressure because he is a northerner leading an organization with a high percentage of southern staff. The NYCN cited data from 2020 to 2024 to suggest an imbalance in recruitment and leadership, arguing that the Federal Character Principle has been neglected.
Conversely, the NASU-WAEC leadership firmly rejects the theory of ethnic motivation. Chairman Comrade Kayode Ogunyade characterized the dispute as a strictly labor-oriented struggle over fair wages and working conditions. The union explained that tensions escalated following dissatisfaction with the implementation of a new minimum wage agreement in December 2024. Union members further alleged that management retaliated by restricting union activities and creating hostile working environments.
Ogunyade confirmed that while the union intended to begin an indefinite strike following the expiration of their ultimatum, they have opted to respect the court’s ex-parte order. WAEC officials have declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation as the reason for their silence.
