Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed hike in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fees, labeling it a victory for the Nigerian people.
The planned increase from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for the 2027 exams was suspended following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, aimed at facilitating broader consultations with stakeholders.
It also follows widespread backlash from stakeholders, including NANS and other political figures who warned that the high costs would limit access to education.
Obi, in a post on his X handle on Monday, applauded the government for responding to widespread public opposition to the proposed fee hike but argued that the policy should never have been introduced in the first place given the country’s economic hardship.
“I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people,” he wrote.
“While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry and suspending the policy, it must be said that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship, when we should be doing everything possible to invest in basic education and reduce the millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria.”
He warned that imposing multiple charges on students at the basic education level could deny many children access to schooling, stressing that the government has a responsibility to invest in education rather than create financial barriers.
“At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded, not restricted. Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue.
“Imposing multiple fees at the basic education level risks denying many children their right to education.
“At that stage, the State has a duty to invest in educating and preparing its citizens for productive lives, not to erect financial barriers that keep them out of school.”
Obi further said true leadership is demonstrated by the willingness to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on citizens, urging the government to reconsider other policies he described as anti-people.
He also applauded parents, citizens and advocacy groups whose opposition to the proposed fee increase contributed to the government’s decision to suspend the policy.
The federal government had earlier on Monday announced the suspension of the proposed fee review, saying it would embark on extensive consultations with stakeholders before taking a final decision.
The suspension was announced in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the Federal Government, the June 18th, 2026 letter conveying the hike of WAEC and NECO fees to N50,000 has been withdrawn.
It explained that although the review was necessitated by rising operational costs of conducting public examinations, the minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended to allow for broader consultations.
