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NECO Examiners Threaten Nationwide Protest; See Reasons

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 11th, 2024.

NECO Examiners Threaten Nationwide Protest; See Reasons

Examiners who marked the 2024 National Examinations Council (NECO) examination papers have announced plans to stage a nationwide protest due to the non-payment of their allowances, despite completing their duties months ago.

The examiners, who have begun mobilizing their colleagues across various states, expressed their frustration over the delayed payments. A letter written by Kano-based examiners and circulated to other NECO examiners, including those in Plateau State, confirmed the growing unrest.

The letter, dated November 8, 2024, was addressed to the NECO Chief Registrar in Minna and copied to team leaders and assistant examiners across the country. It highlighted the issue and the examiners’ dissatisfaction with the handling of their compensation. The letter read:

“Dear Sir,

We write to bring to your urgent attention the ongoing concerns regarding the payment of examiners who were engaged in the recent marking of examination papers set by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

It is deeply concerning that, despite the completion of the marking process over three months ago and the release of the results more than a month ago, the majority of examiners have not been paid. Only a very small fraction of us have received payment so far.

As examiners who played an essential role in the smooth conduct and evaluation of the examinations, we find it unacceptable that our compensation has been delayed for such an extended period. Our dedication to ensuring the integrity of the exams should not be met with such neglect, particularly in these challenging economic times.

We hereby issue a two-week ultimatum for NECO to address the issue of unpaid allowances. Should this matter remain unresolved by the end of the specified period, the examiners will have no choice but to proceed with a nationwide protest, involving members from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).”

The letter also emphasized that if NECO failed to act promptly, the examiners would pursue legal action for the neglect of their rights and workers’ welfare. The examiners urged the council to resolve the matter swiftly to prevent further disruptions.

In interviews with our correspondent in Jos on Sunday, several examiners confirmed their readiness to join the protest if their demands were not met. They expressed frustration at the continued delay and called for immediate action from NECO.