The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in the registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), describing the reversal as “a victory for the Nigerian people.”
In a statement shared on his official page on Monday, July 13, 2026, Atiku said the government’s decision followed widespread opposition from parents, students, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders who condemned the planned fee increase.
According to the former vice president, implementing the proposed hike would have imposed an additional financial burden on Nigerian families and further restricted access to education for thousands of students.
“I welcome the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees. This reversal is a victory for the Nigerian people,” Atiku stated.
He noted that the suspension validated the concerns he had earlier raised, warning that making public examinations more expensive would worsen educational inequality, increase the number of out-of-school children, and deny many brilliant but indigent students the opportunity to pursue higher education.
“This decision vindicates the concerns I expressed when I warned that pricing public examinations beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians would deepen educational inequality, worsen the out-of-school children crisis, and deny countless brilliant but indigent students the opportunity to pursue higher education,” he added.
While commending the government’s reversal, Atiku questioned why authorities only acted after facing intense public backlash.
“However, the question remains: why must this government always wait for public outrage before correcting policies that should never have been conceived in the first place?” he asked.
He urged the Federal Government to work with relevant stakeholders to develop a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO without shifting the financial burden onto parents and students.
Atiku also called for broader consultation with stakeholders before implementing policies that directly affect Nigerians, arguing that inclusive engagement would lead to better and more effective policy decisions.
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