What changed
2026-07-31 08:09 UTC → 2026-08-04 14:59 UTC ·
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West African education unrest – Ghana, Nigeria strikes spread
May‑June In May 2026 saw Ghana roll out launched the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for 620,000 candidates and introduce school‑safety guidelines amid a fatal traffic crash. The Ghanaian ministry candidates, while the Ministry of Education opened WASSCE registration and warned against exam irregularities. In Nigeria, WAEC staff staged for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 509,862 students. The Ghana Education Service reported two fatal road‑traffic deaths during the BECE period. Nigeria’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) faced a three‑day nationwide protest by staff over labour grievances and exam‑policy changes, and later refuted a fabricated notice claiming police deployment to exam revisions, while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) warned centres. Logistical problems delayed WASSCE papers in several states, forcing candidates to write late‑night exams. The Federal Government of Nigeria introduced revised school‑safety guidelines and a “safe school” initiative in response to a surge in kidnappings, but teachers’ unions began a strike action if demanding stronger security and compensation for victims. In Ghana, the 2025 wage‑and‑welfare agreement was not fully honoured. Late University Teachers Association (UTAG) set a 30 June deadline for the vice‑chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University was suspended, government to settle seven service‑condition issues and Ghana’s later suspended a planned nationwide strike after receiving written commitments. The Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association (TUSAAG) announced resumed an indefinite strike from on 20 July over unpaid research and non‑basic allowances, disrupting university operations. In late July the unrest broadened. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) called for a nationwide strike over unpaid salaries and unmet agreements. In Ondo State, the government approved a special intervention fund to settle the ongoing ASUU strike at Adekunle Ajasin University, while the university’s Students’ Union three pre‑tertiary teacher unions issued a 72‑hour one‑week ultimatum demanding an immediate resolution, threatening peaceful protests if the deadline is missed. On 26 July for the Nigeria Labour Congress implementation of long‑standing promotion and Trade incentive provisions. Nigeria’s Academic Staff Union Congress ordered an indefinite strike at the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital, demanding enrollment Universities (ASUU) continued to warn of all staff in the Integrated Personnel indefinite strikes and Payroll Information System, an end shutdowns across multiple states—including Edo, Delta, Ondo, Lagos, Plateau and others—citing failure to forced renunciation of union membership, implement the 2025 federal‑ASUU agreement on salary increases, consolidated allowances and protection for union leaders. arrears. The ASUU strike union’s branches at Adekunle Ajasin University, which began on 10 July, halted second‑semester exams, Benue State University, Abdullahi Fodio University and on 28 July ASUU gave other institutions extended indefinite strikes until overdue salaries and welfare benefits are paid. Student unions at Adekunle Ajasin University issued a 72‑hour ultimatum for resolution, while the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru received a 21‑day ultimatum demand for payment of accumulated allowances, implementation of the 2025 agreement and a 40 % salary review, warning of further industrial action. These developments add new pressure on Nigerian authorities to address staff grievances and restore academic activity, while Ghana’s technical‑university strike continues to affect examinations, admissions and human‑resources services. allowances.