The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend 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, describing the move as a victory for Nigerians.
The Federal Government on Monday announced the suspension of the proposed fee adjustment and withdrew its 18 June 2026 circular on the matter, saying wider consultations with stakeholders would be conducted before any decision is taken.
The Ministry of Education had said the proposed increase was prompted by rising operational costs but subsequently suspended the plan following public criticism and in line with the government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
Reacting in a statement posted on his X account, Obi said the decision would bring relief to many families facing economic hardship.
He said the government’s reversal demonstrated that public engagement could influence policy when citizens raise legitimate concerns.
“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 said.
While commending the government for reversing the policy, Obi argued that the proposed increase should not have been considered given the country’s economic conditions.
“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 said.
Obi maintained that access to education should be expanded rather than restricted, particularly at a time when many households are struggling to meet basic needs.
“At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded, not restricted,” he said.
He also argued that education should be regarded as a social investment rather than a source of government revenue.
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.
Obi warned that additional financial burdens on students and their families could discourage school enrolment and undermine efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
“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,” he added.
He also urged the government to review other policies that have increased the cost of living, saying effective leadership includes the willingness to reverse decisions that impose unnecessary hardship.
“True leadership is demonstrated not only by making decisions but also by having the humility to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on the people. Many other anti-people policies deserve similar reconsideration,” he said.
Obi concluded by commending parents, civil society organisations and advocacy groups whose opposition to the proposed fee increase, he said, contributed to the government’s decision.
“I thank the citizens, parents and advocacy groups whose voices made this reversal possible,” he said.
