WAEC Should Not Be Crippled by Disruptive Union Actions — Adebayo Rhodes
Education advocate Adebayo Rhodes has warned against actions capable of disrupting the operations of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), cautioning that prolonged labour disputes could endanger the future of millions of students across the region.
In a strongly worded opinion piece published on Saturday, Rhodes criticised what he described as “opportunistic unionism” within the examination body, arguing that industrial actions should not be allowed to paralyse an institution central to the educational advancement of West African countries.
He stressed that WAEC plays a critical role in coordinating examinations, releasing results, and maintaining academic standards for secondary school students, adding that any disruption to its activities could have serious consequences for candidates preparing for key examinations.
According to Rhodes, while workers have legitimate rights to demand improved welfare and better working conditions, such demands must be pursued responsibly and without jeopardising the educational future of students.
He argued that repeated threats of strikes and operational shutdowns risk undermining public confidence in the institution and could create avoidable uncertainty within the education sector.
Rhodes also called on relevant authorities and union leaders to prioritise dialogue and constructive engagement in resolving disputes, rather than resorting to actions that could destabilise examination processes.
He warned that disruptions within WAEC would not only affect Nigeria but could also have ripple effects across other West African countries that rely on the council’s examination system.
The columnist urged stakeholders to protect the integrity and continuity of WAEC’s operations, describing the institution as too important to become entangled in prolonged labour conflicts.
He maintained that safeguarding the education sector should remain a national and regional priority, especially at a time when students already face mounting academic and economic challenges.
