Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, describing the move as a victory for Nigerians.
The Federal Government had on Monday announced the suspension of the proposed fee review, withdrawing its June 18, 2026 circular to allow for wider consultations with stakeholders.
The Ministry of Education explained that the proposed adjustment was driven by rising operational costs but was put on hold following public concerns and in line with the government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
Reacting in a post on his X account, Obi commended the government for responding to public criticism but maintained that the proposed increase should not have been introduced in the first place.
“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 said.
He argued that the planned increase would have imposed additional financial pressure on families already struggling with the country’s economic challenges and could have further limited access to education.
“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 stated.
Obi stressed that education should remain affordable and accessible to every Nigerian child.
“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 said.
He warned that introducing additional charges at the basic education level could discourage school enrolment and deprive many children of their right to education.
“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 presidential candidate also urged governments to review policies that place unnecessary hardship on citizens.
“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 thanking parents, citizens and advocacy groups whose opposition to the proposed fee increase contributed to the government’s decision to suspend the policy.
