Tensions within the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) escalated on Thursday after the council’s Administrative and Finance Committee openly backed the Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, amid mounting pressure from workers demanding his immediate removal.
The development comes days after members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) staged a three-day industrial protest at WAEC’s national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, accusing the management of unfair labour practices, staff victimisation, and welfare neglect.
Despite the agitation, the committee, regarded as WAEC Nigeria’s highest advisory body on administrative and financial matters, passed a strong vote of confidence in Dangut during its 240th meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The committee commended Dangut and his management team for what it described as “exemplary leadership, operational efficiency, and institutional discipline,” insisting that the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) had continued smoothly under his watch despite the industrial tension.
According to the committee, the successful coordination of the nationwide examination process during the protest period demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and administrative stability within the council.
“The uninterrupted conduct of the examination reflects WAEC’s strong institutional capacity and commitment to maintaining credible assessment standards across the sub-region,” the committee reportedly stated.
The endorsement, however, has further intensified conversations surrounding the leadership crisis within the examination body, especially after protesting workers narrowed their demands to a single condition — the removal of Dangut as Head of National Office.
NASU leaders had earlier accused the WAEC management of creating an unhealthy work environment and failing to address longstanding concerns affecting staff welfare and administrative fairness.
Speaking on behalf of the union, NASU-WAEC Chairman, Kayode Ogunyade, maintained that workers remained dissatisfied despite suspending the industrial action.
According to him, the suspension of the protest was not a withdrawal of their demands but an opportunity for further engagement while ensuring that examination activities were not disrupted.
“Dangut must go,” Ogunyade reportedly insisted, warning that the union could embark on further actions if the workers’ grievances remained unresolved.
Nevertheless, WAEC management maintained that its operations across the country remain stable and fully functional, assuring candidates, parents, and education stakeholders that the integrity of the 2026 WASSCE has not been compromised.
The committee also warned against actions capable of damaging the reputation, credibility, and stability of the examination body, stressing that WAEC’s statutory responsibilities across member countries must remain protected.
It noted that the council’s systems and operational structures were strong enough to withstand internal pressures without affecting examination delivery or candidate experience.
The leadership body further reaffirmed its support for continuity and stability within the organisation, describing Dangut’s administration as focused and effective in managing both operational and stakeholder-related challenges.
Meanwhile, WAEC reiterated its commitment to dialogue, transparency, and industrial harmony, noting that discussions with staff unions remain ongoing through established administrative channels.
The council added that while it welcomes constructive engagement with workers, such interactions must be conducted within institutional procedures and without disrupting critical examination processes.
The crisis has also reignited broader debates about staff welfare, leadership accountability, and institutional governance within Nigeria’s education sector, with many observers calling for urgent reconciliation between management and workers to prevent further escalation.
