The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has applauded the Federal Government for suspending the planned increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination.
Reacting to the development on Monday through his official X account, Obi described the government’s decision as “a victory for the Nigerian people,” saying it reflected the impact of citizens speaking out against policies that could worsen the burden on struggling families.
The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier announced the suspension of the proposed fee review after widespread criticism from parents, education stakeholders, and civil society organizations.
Proposed Fee Increase Was Poorly Timed, Says Obi
While commending the Federal Government for reversing the policy, Obi maintained that the proposed increase should never have been introduced, considering the current economic realities facing millions of Nigerians.
According to him, families are already grappling with inflation and rising living costs, making additional financial obligations on education both unnecessary and insensitive.
“Although I commend the authorities for responding to the voices of Nigerians by suspending the policy, it remains my position that such a proposal should never have arisen at a time when citizens are battling severe economic hardship,” Obi stated.
He argued that government efforts should focus on expanding access to quality education rather than making it more expensive for parents.
Education Should Not Become a Financial Barrier
The former Anambra State governor stressed that education remains a fundamental right and should be treated as a public investment instead of a revenue-generating venture.
Obi warned that increasing examination registration fees at the secondary school level could deny thousands of students the opportunity to complete their education, particularly those from low-income households.
He emphasized that the responsibility of government is to equip young Nigerians with quality education, not create financial obstacles that push more children out of school.
According to him, Nigeria should be implementing policies that reduce the country’s growing out-of-school population rather than introducing measures that could worsen the crisis.
‘Good Leadership Includes Correcting Wrong Policies’
Obi also noted that effective governance is measured not only by the ability to introduce policies but also by the courage to reverse decisions that negatively affect citizens.
He urged the Federal Government to review other policies that have increased the cost of living and placed additional pressure on ordinary Nigerians.
The former governor further appreciated parents, education advocates, civil society organizations, and concerned Nigerians whose public opposition contributed to the suspension of the proposed fee increase.
Why the Federal Government Suspended the Fee Review
Earlier on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education officially withdrew its June 18, 2026 circular that proposed a review of registration fees for the 2027 WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government explained that the decision was taken to allow for broader consultations with key stakeholders before reaching a final resolution.
The ministry said the suspension demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based policymaking.
Proposed WAEC and NECO Fees
Under the suspended proposal, the registration fee for the 2027 WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations would have increased significantly:
- Current registration fee: ₦27,500
- Proposed new fee: ₦50,000
The proposal attracted widespread backlash across the country, with parents, education experts, labour groups, and advocacy organizations warning that the increase would place additional financial pressure on households already struggling with the high cost of living.
Many stakeholders argued that the fee hike could force more students to abandon their education and further increase Nigeria’s already alarming number of out-of-school children.
With the suspension now in effect, the Federal Government says it will engage stakeholders before making any future decision on examination registration fees.
