The Federal Government has suspended the planned increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi welcomed the decision, saying it reflects the concerns raised by Nigerians over the proposed policy.
ABUJA, FCT — Federal Ministry of Education has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, and the National Examinations Council, NECO, Senior School Certificate Examination. According to a statement issued by the ministry, the government withdrew the planned adjustment to allow wider consultations with stakeholders following public concerns over the proposal.
Why This Happened
The ministry said the proposed fee review was introduced because of rising operational costs facing examination bodies. However, it decided to suspend the plan after receiving feedback from parents, students, education stakeholders and the general public. According to the statement, the government remains committed to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking and will continue consultations before taking any final decision.
What Atiku and Obi Said
Atiku Abubakar welcomed the suspension but said government policies should be properly discussed before implementation. He said Nigeria should not become a place where major policies are announced without adequate consultation before being reversed after public opposition. Peter Obi also praised the decision, describing it as “a victory for the Nigerian people.” He added that the government should prioritise greater investment in education instead of increasing examination fees.
Who Is Peter Obi?
Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC. The former Anambra State governor has consistently advocated increased funding for education, healthcare and youth development, while frequently commenting on national economic and education policies.
What This Means for Nigeria
The development means students preparing for the 2027 WAEC and NECO examinations will not face the proposed registration fee increase for now. It also signals that the Federal Government may review education policies through broader stakeholder consultations before making final decisions on examination funding.
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