By Our Reporter
Signs of rising industrial unrest emerged on Thursday after the gate of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) office in Onikolobo, Abeokuta, was locked, fueling concerns over a possible disruption to the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Ogun State.
Multiple sources said that candidates and visitors stranded outside the office were seen sitting on benches at the entrance, unable to gain access.
The protest is being spearheaded by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), which accused WAEC management of imposing unilateral policies, violating seniority procedures, and taking punitive actions against workers.
NASU said the actions have weakened staff morale and trust within WAEC’s Ogun operations, warning that members may embark on full industrial action if their demands remain unresolved.
Among the union’s key grievances are the suspension of staff upgrade programmes, enforcement of a minimum net pay policy, and the setting up of investigative panels without consultation with the union.
NASU also faulted recruitment procedures and recent adjustments to the WASSCE examination structure, claiming they were introduced without adequate engagement.
Labour observers warned that any prolonged protest could affect critical administrative support for the examination process in Ogun State, including the movement of exam materials, supervision logistics, and script processing. Such disruptions could ultimately delay examinations and the release of results.
The union is demanding the immediate restoration of upgrade programmes, reversal of the net pay policy, and greater transparency in recruitment and disciplinary procedures. Until those demands are met,
NASU insists the planned action will continue, leaving WAEC with limited time to avert a major disruption to the 2026 WASSCE in Ogun State.
However, reacting to the ongoing protest by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Ogun State office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) reassured candidates and patents that it will not disrupt the conduct of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state.
The Ogun State WAEC Controller, Dr. Ayobami Suberu, stated that all examinations scheduled for the day, including the 2 p.m. paper, would proceed without interruption. He urged candidates, parents, and other stakeholders to remain calm and disregard fears of any possible disruption.
Suberu explained that the industrial action, which commenced on Wednesday and is expected to continue until Friday, did not affect the examinations conducted on the first day of the protest. According to him, adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth distribution of examination materials and the seamless coordination of activities across all centres.
He disclosed that supervisors had already been instructed to report early to their designated custodial centres to collect examination materials before heading to their various examination venues.
The WAEC controller further clarified that the protest was not directed at the Ogun State office of the Council. He noted that the action was aimed at the management of WAEC’s national headquarters and is being observed simultaneously across the Council’s offices nationwide.
