Atiku Criticises Planned Increase of WAEC, NECO Examination Fees to N50,000

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised reports that the Federal Government has approved an increase in the registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to N50,000 per candidate from 2027.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the proposed increase, alongside the recent hike in fees for Federal Unity Colleges, would place an additional financial burden on parents and deny millions of children access to education.

He noted that Nigeria already has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, arguing that raising examination fees would further increase the number of students unable to continue their education, particularly those from low-income families.

Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the planned increase in WAEC and NECO examination fees and reduce tuition fees in government-owned schools. He also called on the Federal Government to increase investment in the education sector, expand educational facilities, and ensure that poverty does not prevent any Nigerian child from accessing quality education.