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WAEC Makes U-turn, Speaks On Ongoing Exams Amidst Proposed Workers’ Strike
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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has said the indefinite strike announced by Nigeria’s foremost labour unions would not affect the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In an internal memo addressed to the principals of schools participating in the 2024 WASSCE, WAEC said the conduct of the internal examination continues irrespective of the strike.
“The attention of Management has been drawn to a notice of the Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, 3rd June 2024. Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled,” the examination board said in a statement signed by the Ekiti Branch Controller for WAEC National Office, identified as T A Lawson.
WAEC said as much as it shares in the concerns of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the examination is going on across the member Countries of WAEC and “the Nigerian child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exam.”
“For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exam and School Principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their candidates to sit the exam,” the statement added.
A similar statement signed by the Ikeja Zonal Coordinator of the examination body, T O Danjuma, was also shared with schools within the zone.
But the office of the Head of Nigeria’s Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, has said the memo shared with the stakeholders was not for public consumption.
The spokesperson for the examination, Motorola Adesina, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, also denied the claim that WAEC had dared the labour unions, even as she appealed for understanding.
She said the examination is being conducted across four member states of WAEC and that the timetable and schedules are the same across the countries.
Mrs Adesina said: “WAEC can never dictate to the Nigerian labour unions, but this is a passionate appeal for understanding for the sake of the future of the affected Nigerian children.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Saturday directed its affiliates to mobilise for a total indefinite strike from Monday, 3 June.
The industrial action is expected to disrupt activities in schools, hospitals, and airports, which may lead to power outages, fuel scarcity, and transportation disruptions across the country.
The strike is to force the government to agree on a new minimum wage for workers as well as review the increase in the price of electricity for some consumers.
The labour unions are currently at loggerheads with the Nigerian government over negotiations for a new minimum wage. The current N30,000 minimum wage took effect in 2019, and the union is now negotiating a higher minimum wage with the government.
The NLC initially requested N600,000 but has now settled N494,000. However, the government rejected the amount, saying it is unsustainable and warning it could destabilise the economy and negatively impact over 200 million Nigerians. The government said it is offering N60,000, an amount the labour leaders reject, leading to a deadlock and a declaration of strike by the labour unions.
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The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has received the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mrs. Tolulope Odunaiya, on a briefing over the successful settlement of more than ₦39.6 billion in longstanding pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
The briefing highlighted another milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, following the Federal Government’s clearance of inherited pension obligations that had remained outstanding for years.
Mrs. Odunaiya informed the Minister that the payments comprise ₦25.05 billion representing the outstanding 35-month pension liability owed to 9,675 eligible pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL; ₦9.48 billion representing the initial 50 per cent payment of the Back End Computation (BEC) arrears to 3,959 eligible PHCN pensioners; and ₦5.09 billion representing the balance 50 per cent payment of the 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent pension increment arrears due to 11,180 eligible pensioners of the defunct Assurance Bank, NICON, NITEL and People’s Bank of Nigeria.
She explained that the settlement followed Presidential approval granted in August 2025, with the required funding subsequently provided under the 2026 Appropriation Act.
According to her, the exercise has now brought to a close all inherited pension liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of pensioners.
Commending PTAD for the successful execution of the exercise, the Honourable Minister said the settlement demonstrates the Federal Government’s resolve to address longstanding obligations through prudent fiscal management and responsible governance.
“For many pensioners, this is more than the settlement of outstanding arrears; it is the restoration of confidence and dignity. The Ministry of Finance will continue to support measures that strengthen public financial management while ensuring that government obligations are met in a sustainable and timely manner,” Mr. Oyedele said.
The development marks another milestone in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting the Federal Government’s focus on meeting longstanding obligations, strengthening public confidence and improving the welfare of pensioners.
The Federal Government says 271 Nigerians will return from South Africa today, Friday, July 3, due to recent xenophobic protests.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the evacuees will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m.
Its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the exercise shows the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and ensuring their safe return during crises.
The first batch of 258 returnees arrived in Lagos on June 11 aboard a special Air Peace flight. They were received by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, and handed over to government agencies for documentation and profiling.
The Ministry explained that logistic challenges delayed the second evacuation flight, prompting the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to temporarily accommodate and care for affected citizens awaiting their return.
It added that a Nigerian philanthropist voluntarily sponsored the air tickets of 66 stranded nationals, who returned to Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight on June 24.
According to the statement, a second government-arranged evacuation flight landed in Lagos on June 30 with 269 returnees, bringing the total number of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa so far to 593.
The Ministry further announced that three additional evacuation flights have been scheduled to bring home all Nigerians who voluntarily registered for evacuation and have completed the required screening and clearance process.
It also dismissed allegations that officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa demanded money from citizens before including them on the evacuation list.
It emphasised that all special evacuation flights are fully funded by the Federal Government and that no returnee is required to pay any fee.
According to the statement, claims that mission staff requested payment for evacuation are false and should be disregarded.
It commended the cooperation of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the operation, noting that their collaboration has contributed significantly to the success of the evacuation exercise.
It reaffirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy, adding that the government will continue to provide support, dignity and care to citizens affected by crises overseas.
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