The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has distanced itself from the nationwide strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The NLC and TUC had initiated a nationwide strike on Monday following a four-hour meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on Sunday evening in Abuja, which failed to yield the desired results.
In response to the commencement of the industrial action, a statement by the Head of National Officer, Branch Controller, WAEC, T.A.Y Lawson, on Monday, dismissed the strike, affirming that the West African Senior School Certificate Examination would proceed as scheduled despite the nationwide strike.
“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,” the statement noted in part.
According to the statement, the commission said 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 to 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 statement added,
The subjects scheduled for Monday’s examinations include Physics 3 (Practical) (Alternative B), Computer Studies 3 (Practical), Insurance 2 (Essay), and Insurance 1 (Objective).
The labour unions expressed concerns that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 no longer adequately supports the well-being of the average Nigerian worker. They lamented that not all governors are adhering to the current wage award, which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. They emphasized the need for the Act to be reviewed every five years to align with the contemporary economic needs of workers.