NECO Examiners Plan Nationwide Protest Over Unpaid Allowances

Examiners hired by the National Examinations Council (NECO) to grade the 2024 examination papers have threatened a nationwide protest, citing non-payment of their allowances despite completing the work months ago.

Reports indicate that examiners are mobilizing colleagues from across Nigeria in preparation for the protest. A letter from aggrieved examiners in Kano, addressed to NECO’s Chief Registrar in Minna and shared with examiners in Plateau State, highlights their grievances and demands immediate action.

Dated November 8, 2024, the letter outlines examiners' frustration over delayed payments, even though results have already been released. The letter, shared with all NECO team leaders and assistant examiners nationwide, states:

“It is very appalling that despite the examinations being marked over three months ago, and the release of the candidates’ results for over a month now, a majority of the examiners are yet to receive the wages they are owed for their laborious efforts. Only an insignificant minority have been paid nationwide."

The letter also addresses the impact of the delay, stressing, “Our dedication and commitment to our duties should not be met with such negligence and disregard for our welfare, especially in these economically trying times.”

Giving NECO a two-week deadline to settle the outstanding payments, the examiners threatened a coordinated protest across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, if the matter remains unresolved. Furthermore, they hinted at possible legal action against NECO, should payments continue to be withheld.

One examiner in Jos expressed readiness to join the protest if their demands are not met, stating, “We are fully prepared to act if NECO fails to fulfill its obligations.”

Attempts to reach NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off at the time of contact.