Peter Obi Welcomes Suspension of WAEC, NECO Fee Hike, Calls It ‘Victory for Nigerians’

Nigeria Democratic Congress (ND) presidential candidate 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 reversal as a victory for Nigerians.

The Federal Government announced on Monday that it had suspended the planned fee adjustment and withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular on the proposal, saying additional consultations with stakeholders would take place before any further decision is made.

The Ministry of Education had earlier explained that the proposed increase was intended to address rising operational costs but later put the policy on hold following widespread public criticism and its commitment to inclusive decision-making.

Reacting in a statement posted on his X account, Obi said the government’s decision offered much-needed relief to millions of Nigerian families already grappling with severe economic challenges.

“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 Federal Government for responding to public concerns, Obi argued that the proposed fee increase should never have been introduced, considering the country’s prevailing economic conditions.

He said imposing additional financial burdens on families at a time of widespread hardship would have undermined efforts to improve access to education and reduce the number of out-of-school children.

“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 stated.

The former Anambra State governor maintained that education should be made more accessible rather than more expensive, particularly for families struggling to meet basic living costs.

“At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded, not restricted,” he said.

Obi further argued that education should be regarded as a public investment and a fundamental right rather than a means of generating government revenue.

“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.

According to him, introducing additional costs at the basic education level could discourage school enrolment and worsen Nigeria’s already high 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.

Obi also urged the government to reassess other policies that have increased the economic burden on citizens, saying effective leadership includes the willingness to reverse decisions that negatively affect the people.

“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.

He concluded by commending parents, civil society organisations, advocacy groups and other Nigerians whose opposition to the proposed fee increase contributed to the government’s decision to suspend the policy.