Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has praised the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the newly introduced examination fees, describing education as a public good rather than a means of generating revenue.
Obi made the statement on Monday in a post shared on his official X account, where he urged the government to reconsider other policies he said were worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor said the suspension of the fees followed widespread opposition from Nigerians who believed the policy would have placed additional financial pressure on families already struggling with economic challenges.
He argued that introducing examination fees at the basic education level would have created more barriers to learning and undermined efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country.
“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,” Obi said.
He stressed that go
vernment efforts should focus on expanding access to education and reducing the number of children out of school rather than introducing measures that could discourage enrolment.
According to him, “education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue.”
Obi further stated that governments have a responsibility to invest in education and prepare young Nigerians for productive futures instead of creating financial obstacles that could prevent children from attending school.
“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.
The NDC presidential candidate also commended parents, advocacy groups and Nigerians who opposed the policy, saying their actions contributed to the decision to suspend the examination fees. He called on leaders to remain open to reversing policies that place unnecessary burdens on citizens.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.