Examiners hired by the National Examinations Council (NECO) to grade 2024 exam papers have announced plans to stage a nationwide protest if their unpaid allowances are not settled soon. Despite completing their marking duties over three months ago, the examiners claim that most of them have yet to receive payment for their work.
The issue has prompted the examiners to begin mobilizing colleagues across Nigeria in preparation for a coordinated protest. A letter sent to NECO’s Chief Registrar in Minna by examiners from Kano State and distributed to their counterparts in Plateau State highlights their grievances.
The letter, dated November 8, 2024, and obtained by reporters, reads: “Dear Sir, we write to bring to your urgent attention the ongoing issues surrounding the payment of examiners who were engaged in marking the recent examination papers set by the National Examinations Council (NECO). 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 continues by stressing the dedication of the examiners and their disappointment in how NECO has handled their payments: “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.”
The examiners have given NECO a two-week ultimatum to settle their unpaid wages.
“If this matter is not resolved within the stipulated time frame, the examiners will have no choice but to embark on a nationwide protest through coordinated efforts of the members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja),” the letter warned.
The group also threatened to pursue legal action if their demands continue to be ignored.
NECO examiners interviewed in Jos expressed their readiness to join the protest if the issue remains unresolved.
“We have waited long enough for what is rightfully ours. We are prepared to make our voices heard if NECO does not act,” one examiner said.
Efforts to reach NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off at the time of contact.
The examiners hope NECO will promptly resolve the matter to avoid further escalation and potential disruption to its operations.
As one examiner noted, “We simply want what we are owed for the work we have done.”