Obi welcomes suspension of ₦50,000 WAEC, NECO fee, urges more pro-people policies

By Florence Kalu

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Obi described the move as a victory for Nigerians and a demonstration that public opinion can influence government policy.

The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier announced the suspension of the proposed ₦50,000 registration fee for both examinations, saying the June 18, 2026 circular conveying the adjustment had been withdrawn to allow for wider consultations with stakeholders.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Obi who is the National Democratic Party(NDC) presidential candidate in the 2027 elections commended the Federal Government for listening to the concerns expressed by parents, students, education stakeholders and civil society groups over the planned increase.

“I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people,” Obi said in a statement posted on his verified X account.

While applauding the policy reversal, the former Anambra State governor argued that the proposed fee hike should not have been introduced at a time when many Nigerian families are struggling with rising living costs and economic hardship.

According to him, access to education should be expanded rather than restricted, warning that higher examination fees could have prevented many students, particularly those from low-income households, from sitting for the qualifying examinations.

“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue. At a time when millions of Nigerian children remain out of school, government should be investing in basic education, not creating additional financial barriers,” he stated.

Obi noted that true leadership is reflected not only in the ability to make policy decisions but also in the willingness to review and reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on citizens.

He urged the Federal Government to extend the same approach to other policies that have attracted widespread public criticism, saying Nigerians deserve governance that prioritises their welfare and economic well-being.

The former presidential candidate also acknowledged the role played by parents, advocacy groups and concerned citizens whose sustained opposition to the proposed increase, he said, contributed to the government’s decision to suspend the policy.

Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education

The Ministry of Education said the proposed fee review was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations, including increased spending on logistics, security, printing, technology and quality assurance.

However, it stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until consultations are concluded with examination bodies, state governments, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other key stakeholders.

The ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking, adding that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions would remain central to its education agenda.

The proposed increase, which would have raised the registration fees for both WAEC and NECO to ₦50,000 from the 2027 examination cycle, had sparked widespread criticism from parents, students and opposition figures, who warned that it could further worsen Nigeria’s education challenges.