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), demanding immediate action on a four-point agenda related to workers’ welfare and alleged victimization of labor leaders.
At a press briefing in Lagos on Monday, NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, declared that if WAEC fails to meet the union’s demands, all its offices across Nigeria will be shut down starting Monday, March 24, 2025.
Union’s Grievances and Demands
According to Adeyemi, NASU’s grievances stem from long-standing issues concerning the welfare of WAEC employees, unfair labor practices, and acts of intimidation targeted at union leaders. The union accused WAEC’s management of deliberately neglecting the concerns of its workforce despite repeated attempts to resolve the disputes through dialogue.
“We Will Shut Down WAEC Offices Nationwide”
Adeyemi emphasized that the union has exhausted all diplomatic avenues in seeking redress and has no choice but to take industrial action if their concerns are not addressed within the stipulated timeframe.
“We have been patient for too long. WAEC management has continuously ignored our calls for fair treatment of workers, and we can no longer tolerate these injustices. If our demands are not met by March 24, we will embark on a total shutdown of WAEC operations across Nigeria,” he warned.
Implications of the Proposed Strike
If the industrial action proceeds, it could severely disrupt WAEC’s administrative and examination processes, affecting thousands of students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and other critical assessments.
NASU has urged the WAEC management to engage in meaningful negotiations before the deadline to prevent a full-scale crisis.
“We remain open to discussions, but the management must show genuine commitment to addressing these pressing issues. The welfare of workers must be prioritized, and the victimization of our labor leaders must stop,” Adeyemi stated.
The union has called on the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to intervene promptly to avert disruptions that could negatively impact Nigeria’s education sector.
