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The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has welcomed the suspension of the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO examination fees, describing the reversal as “a victory for the Nigerian people.”
In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Monday, Obi commended the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry but insisted the fee was “an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship.”
“I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people,” Obi wrote.
The Ministry of Education had earlier announced the suspension of the proposed N50,000 uniform registration fee for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following public concerns over the planned adjustment.
Obi said education was a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue.
“At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded, not restricted. Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he said.
He warned that 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,” Obi said.
He called on the government to demonstrate similar reconsideration for other policies he described as “anti-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.
Obi thanked citizens, parents and advocacy groups whose voices made the reversal possible.
The proposed fee increase would have raised WAEC fees from N27,000 to N50,000 and NECO fees from N30,000 to N50,000.
Suspension of Examination Fees: A Victory for the People
I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people.
While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) July 13, 2026
