Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), describing the move as a victory for Nigerian students, parents and education stakeholders.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the decision followed widespread opposition to the proposed fee hike and vindicated concerns that higher examination costs would worsen educational inequality and deny many indigent students access to higher education.
Atiku on WAEC, NECO Fee Hike
While commending the government for reversing the decision, Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration for what he described as a pattern of introducing unpopular policies without adequate consultation.
“Governing is not a laboratory for reckless experimentation. Sound governments consult before they decide, not after Nigerians have been subjected to needless anxiety and uncertainty,” he said.
The former vice president argued that the proposed fee increase would have imposed another financial burden on families already struggling with inflation, rising transportation costs, higher electricity tariffs and declining purchasing power.
He also urged the Federal Government to engage stakeholders in developing a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO instead of shifting the burden to parents.
Atiku further called on the administration to prioritise consultation before making major policy decisions, insisting that “consultation is not a sign of weakness; it is the foundation of responsible governance.”
He added that the latest policy reversal should serve as a lesson ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying Nigerians deserve leaders who “listen before they act, consult before they decide, and get it right the first time.”
The Federal Government had earlier suspended the proposed review of WAEC and NECO registration fees, saying the decision was taken to allow for wider consultations with stakeholders before any final decision is made.
