The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that it will not be participating in the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Despite the industrial action, WAEC has assured the public that the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will proceed as scheduled.
This clarification was made in a statement released on Monday, June 3, 2024, by T.A.Y Lawson, the Head of National Office and Branch Controller of WAEC. Lawson emphasized that WAEC is committed to ensuring that the examinations are conducted without interruption, despite the nationwide strike that commenced after unsuccessful negotiations between the labour unions and the National Assembly.
“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. Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled,” Lawson stated.
WAEC highlighted that while it understands and shares the concerns of the unions and the general public, it is crucial that Nigerian students are not disadvantaged by missing their exams. The council urged school principals, supervisors, parents, and the general public to ensure that necessary arrangements are made for students to attend their scheduled exams.
The subjects scheduled for Monday include:
- Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B)
- Computer Studies 3 (Practical)
- Insurance 2 (Essay)
- Insurance 1 (Objective)
The strike by the NLC and TUC stems from the demand for an increased minimum wage, as the current ₦30,000 wage is deemed insufficient given the current economic conditions. The unions also highlighted that some state governors have failed to implement the current wage, which expired in April 2024. The Minimum Wage Act of 2019 mandates a review every five years to align with the economic demands of workers.
