Atiku Reacts to Suspension of WAEC, NECO Fee Increase, Warns Against Costly Education Policies

The Federal Government’s decision to halt the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees has continued to generate reactions, with Atiku Abubakar describing the move as a welcome relief for Nigerian students, parents, and education stakeholders who opposed the planned adjustment.

In a statement released on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the suspension showed that public concerns could influence government decisions, describing it as a victory for Nigerians who raised alarm over the possible impact of higher examination costs.

He noted that education remains a critical pathway to opportunity and warned that placing additional financial burdens on families could make it harder for many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access secondary and tertiary education.

According to him, the proposed fee increase would have created another obstacle for millions of Nigerian learners already facing economic difficulties caused by rising living costs.

“The suspension is welcome, but it also raises an uncomfortable question: why must this government always wait for public outrage before correcting policies that should never have been conceived in the first place?” he said.

Atiku argued that major education policies should be developed through wider consultations with parents, teachers, students, and relevant stakeholders before they are introduced.

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He criticised what he described as a pattern of announcing policies that later require reversal after public resistance, stressing that effective governance requires proper planning and engagement from the beginning.

He commended Nigerians, including education advocates, labour groups, parents, and students, for speaking out against the planned fee increase, saying their response reflected the importance of citizens participating in decisions that affect their lives.

However, he urged the Federal Government to use the suspension as an opportunity to develop a long-term funding solution for WAEC and NECO that supports the sustainability of the examination bodies without placing excessive pressure on families.

Atiku maintained that education policies must prioritise accessibility and fairness, adding that examination costs should not become a barrier for students seeking to further their academic ambitions.

He further called for a governance approach built on dialogue, research, and consideration of citizens’ realities, saying Nigerians deserve policies that are carefully designed before implementation.

The Federal Government had earlier suspended the planned review of WAEC and NECO examination fees following widespread concerns, announcing that further consultations would be conducted before any final decision is made.