Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has applauded 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), describing the move as a victory for Nigerian families and students.
Reacting to the government’s decision in a statement posted on his social media platform on Monday, Obi said the suspension demonstrated that public engagement can influence policy when citizens speak with one voice. He, however, argued that the proposed fee increase should never have been introduced, especially at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship.
According to Obi, education should be treated as a fundamental right rather than a means of generating government revenue. He stressed that increasing examination fees would have placed additional financial pressure on struggling families and could have denied many young Nigerians access to quality education.
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” Obi stated, urging authorities to prioritize investment in the education sector instead of introducing policies that could discourage school enrollment. He also warned that imposing multiple charges on students at the basic education level risks widening the country’s out-of-school children crisis.
The former governor further commended parents, civil society organizations, education advocates, and concerned Nigerians whose opposition to the proposed fee adjustment contributed to the government’s decision to suspend the policy. He noted that responsive leadership requires not only making decisions but also having the courage to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on citizens.
The Federal Government had earlier announced the suspension of the planned WAEC and NECO fee review, explaining that wider consultations with stakeholders would be conducted before any final decision is taken on examination registration charges. The move followed widespread criticism from education stakeholders and the general public over the proposed increase.
