Atiku Criticizes Government Over WAEC, NECO Fee Hike
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the federal government's approval of a uniform ₦50,000 fee for WAEC and NECO examinations, calling it economically insensitive and a barrier to education.
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Nigerian former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the federal government’s decision to approve a uniform ₦50,000 examination fee for WAEC and NECO candidates starting in 2027. Atiku, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the move as cruel and economically insensitive.
The fee increase, reported by Daily Trust, applies to candidates in Federal Unity Colleges and other secondary schools. Atiku warned that the hike could prevent many children from sitting for crucial examinations, effectively pushing them out of the formal education system. “This policy risks pricing Nigerian children out of education,” he said, according to This Day.
Atiku linked the decision to broader economic pressures under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He argued that successive cost-of-living increases have made essential services less accessible to ordinary families. The ADC leader emphasized that education should be protected from such financial burdens, particularly at the secondary level where foundational learning occurs.
Daily Trust reported that the Federal Government recently approved the upward review of examination fees, though details on implementation and exemptions remain unclear. This Day quoted Atiku as saying the government is “pricing Nigerian children out of education” through sustained policy decisions that ignore household realities.
The reactions from Atiku highlight growing concerns over affordability in Nigeria’s education system. As the 2027 timeline approaches, education stakeholders await clarification from the Ministry of Education and examination bodies on how the new fee structure will be administered.