The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the suspension of the proposed increase in fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as a victory for Nigerians.
The Federal Government had announced the withdrawal of the June 18, 2026 letter conveying the increase in examination fees to N50,000, stating that the decision was suspended to allow for further review and consultations with stakeholders.
The announcement was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on Monday.
Reacting to the development in a statement shared on X, Obi commended the government for responding to public concerns but insisted that the fee increase should not have been introduced amid the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
He said, “I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people.”
The former Anambra State governor argued that education should remain accessible to all Nigerians, stressing that it should not be treated as a source of government revenue.
Obi said increasing examination fees at a time when many families were struggling financially could have further restricted access to education and worsened the country’s out-of-school children crisis.
“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 stated.
He further urged authorities to reconsider other policies that place additional burdens on citizens, adding that true leadership involves the willingness to reverse decisions that negatively affect the people.
Obi also praised parents, citizens and advocacy groups whose concerns contributed to the suspension of the policy.
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.