The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has announced that it will not participate in the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), insisting that the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will proceed as planned.
WAEC announcement comes after the NLC and TUC initiated an indefinite strike on Monday after a failed meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on Sunday evening in Abuja.
The unions had called for the strike due to the unresolved issue of the current minimum wage, which they argue is insufficient to meet the needs of Nigerian workers.
The NLC and TUC have argued that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is insufficient for the average Nigerian worker’s well-being.
They also pointed out that not all state governors are adhering to the wage award, which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The unions are also calling for a review of the Act to align with contemporary economic demands
However, WAEC’s Head of National Office and Branch Controller, T.A.Y. Lawson, in a statement released on Monday, announced the exam body’s commitment to continuing the exams despite the industrial action.
“The attention of the management has been drawn to a notice of the commencement of the indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective from Monday, 3rd June 2024,” Lawson stated.
“Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled.”
He added that as much as it shared the concern of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the exams would go on across the member countries of WAEC and the Nigerian child should not be put at a disadvantage of missing the exams.
“For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exams and school principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their children to sit for the exam,”
The subjects scheduled for Monday include Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B), Computer Studies 3 (Practical), Insurance 2 (Essay), and Insurance 1 (Objective).
