‘A Win for Nigeria’ – Obi Welcomes Decision to Put WAEC, NECO Fee Increase on Hold

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has expressed his appreciation for the Federal Government's decision to suspend the proposed increase in examination registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, hailing it as a triumph for the Nigerian people.

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Obi took to his X handle on Monday to commend the government for heeding the widespread public outcry against the proposed fee hike, but also emphasized that the policy should not have been introduced in the first place, given the country's economic struggles.

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In his post, Obi wrote, "I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief," and described the decision as "a victory for the Nigerian people."

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While commending the authorities for listening to the public and suspending the policy, Obi argued that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced, especially during a time of great hardship when efforts should be focused on investing in basic education and reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

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Obi 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.

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He emphasized that access to education should be expanded, not restricted, especially at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, and that education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue.

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Obi cautioned that imposing multiple fees at the basic education level risks denying many children their right to education, and that the State has a duty to invest in educating and preparing its citizens for productive lives, rather than erecting financial barriers that keep them out of school.

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According to Obi, true leadership is demonstrated by the willingness to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on citizens, and he urged the government to reconsider other policies that he described as anti-people.

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Obi also applauded parents, citizens, and advocacy groups whose opposition to the proposed fee increase contributed to the government's decision to suspend the policy.

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The federal government had earlier announced the suspension of the proposed fee review on Monday, stating that it would embark on extensive consultations with stakeholders before taking a final decision.

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The government 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.