The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has applauded the Federal Government’s decision to halt the planned 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 triumph for ordinary Nigerians.
The Federal Government on Monday announced the suspension of the proposed fee adjustment and withdrew its June 18, 2026 circular on the matter, citing the need for wider stakeholder engagement before any decision is taken.
The Ministry of Education had explained that the proposed review was driven by rising operational costs but was subsequently put on hold following public criticism and the government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based decision-making.
Reacting to the development in a statement posted on his X handle, Obi said the reversal was a welcome relief for many families facing economic difficulties across the country.
According to him, the suspension reflects the power of public engagement and demonstrates that government policies can be reconsidered 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,” Obi stated.
While acknowledging the government’s decision to suspend the policy, the former Anambra State governor argued that the proposed increase should not have been contemplated in the first place given the prevailing economic realities.
“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 broadened rather than limited, especially 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.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate further stressed that education should be treated as a social investment rather than a revenue-generating venture.
“Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue,” he stated.
He warned that imposing additional financial obligations on students and their families could discourage enrolment and undermine efforts to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis.
“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 added.
The former governor also used the opportunity to urge authorities to review other policies that have increased the burden on citizens, saying leadership involves not only making decisions but also being willing to reverse them when they prove harmful.
“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, advocacy groups and other Nigerians whose opposition to the proposed fee increase contributed to the government’s decision.
“I thank the citizens, parents, and advocacy groups whose voices made this reversal possible,” he said.