Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, have 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.
The Federal Government had earlier announced the suspension of the planned fee review following widespread criticism from parents, students, labour unions, education stakeholders and civil society organisations. The proposal would have increased the examination registration fee from N27,500 to N50,000 beginning with the 2027 examination cycle. The Ministry of Education said the suspension would allow for broader consultations before any final decision is taken.
Reacting to the development, Atiku described the government’s decision as a victory for Nigerian parents, students and all stakeholders who spoke out against the proposed increase. He argued that the suspension validated earlier concerns that the fee hike would have placed an additional financial burden on millions of families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
The former vice president, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, however questioned why the government often introduces controversial policies before consulting relevant stakeholders. According to him, effective governance should be driven by dialogue, careful planning and evidence-based decision-making rather than policy reversals after public outrage.
Atiku maintained that education should remain affordable and accessible to every Nigerian child regardless of economic background. He warned that increasing examination fees could worsen the country’s out-of-school children crisis by making it more difficult for students from low-income families to complete their secondary education and qualify for tertiary institutions.
Peter Obi also welcomed the suspension, describing it as “a victory for Nigerians.” In a statement shared on his official X account, the former Anambra State governor commended the government for listening to the concerns raised by citizens, but insisted that the proposed increase should never have been introduced in the first place.
Obi said the country is currently facing significant economic hardship, making it inappropriate to impose additional financial obligations on parents and students. He argued that rather than increasing examination fees, government should focus on expanding access to quality education and reducing the number of children who remain out of school across the country.
The Federal Ministry of Education explained that the earlier letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn to allow wider consultations with examination bodies, state governments, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other stakeholders. The ministry assured Nigerians that no new fee structure would be implemented until the consultation process is completed.
The proposed increase had generated widespread reactions across the country, with many education advocates expressing concern that the higher registration cost could discourage thousands of students from sitting for the examinations. Labour unions, parents’ groups and civil society organisations also urged the government to reconsider the proposal, citing the prevailing economic challenges facing households.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the suspension while calling on the Federal Government to develop a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO that does not shift additional financial responsibility onto parents. They argue that increased public investment in education remains essential to improving access, raising educational standards and supporting the country’s long-term development.
The decision to suspend the proposed fee hike has been widely received as a positive step toward protecting access to secondary education. However, observers say the forthcoming consultations will be critical in determining how the government balances the financial needs of examination bodies with the goal of ensuring that public examinations remain affordable for Nigerian students.
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