The Administrative and Finance Committee of the West African Examinations Council has passed a strong vote of confidence in the leadership of the Nigeria National Office under the Head of National Office, Dr Amos Dangut, amid rising tensions with workers’ unions demanding his removal.
The Committee, WAEC’s highest advisory body on administrative and financial matters in Nigeria, gave the endorsement after its 240th meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where it reviewed the operations of the national office and ongoing examination processes across the country.
In its resolution, the Committee commended Dangut and his management team for what it described as exemplary leadership, operational efficiency and institutional discipline, noting that these qualities had ensured the uninterrupted conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, 2026, despite recent industrial agitation.
It stressed that the smooth running of the examination, even in the face of protests and union disagreements, reflected “strong coordination, professionalism and commitment to WAEC’s mandate of maintaining credible assessment standards across the sub-region.”
The Committee reaffirmed its full confidence in the capacity of the Head of National Office to continue steering the affairs of WAEC Nigeria, adding that management had demonstrated resilience and focus in handling both administrative responsibilities and stakeholder engagements.
It also issued a caution against actions capable of undermining the integrity, reputation and stability of the Council, warning that WAEC’s institutional mandate must not be compromised under any circumstance.
The endorsement comes against the backdrop of a protest by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), who recently staged a three-day industrial action at WAEC’s national office in Yaba, Lagos.
The workers, who accused management of unfair labour practices, welfare concerns and alleged victimisation, later suspended the protest but escalated their demands to a single position—the removal of Dr Dangut as Head of National Office.
Speaking on behalf of the union, NASU-WAEC Chairman, Kayode Ogunyade, said the workers had consolidated their grievances, insisting that “Dangut must go,” while warning that further action could follow if their demands were not addressed. He, however, confirmed that examinations were not disrupted and that workers had resumed duties.
Despite the agitation, WAEC maintained that its operations remain stable nationwide. The Committee noted that all examination processes under the ongoing WASSCE are proceeding as scheduled, with no disruption to candidates or examination logistics.
It further reassured candidates, parents, ministries of education and other stakeholders that the integrity of the 2026 WASSCE remains fully protected, adding that WAEC’s systems and personnel structure were designed to withstand operational pressures without affecting examination delivery.
The Council also restated its commitment to transparency, staff welfare and industrial harmony, describing engagement with staff unions as ongoing and within established administrative procedures.
WAEC emphasised that while it remains open to dialogue with staff representatives, such engagements must be conducted within the bounds of institutional order and without disrupting its statutory responsibilities across member countries.
The Committee’s vote of confidence, it said, reflects a unified position in support of continuity, stability and the protection of WAEC’s credibility as a regional examination body.
