Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Federal Government's decision to suspend the planned increase in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) registration fees. In a statement issued on July 13, 2026, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the reversal as a victory for Nigerian students, parents, and civil society groups. The federal government had earlier approved a uniform examination fee of N50,000 for WAEC and NECO candidates, effective from 2027, but suspended the hike after nationwide backlash.
Atiku Criticises Policy Reversal Pattern
While welcoming the suspension, Atiku expressed sharp criticism of what he termed a recurring pattern in the Tinubu administration's approach to policymaking. He questioned why the government consistently waits for public outrage before correcting policies that should never have been conceived in the first place. Atiku argued that responsible governance requires consultation before decisions are announced, not after the public has been subjected to unnecessary anxiety. He noted that this pattern reflects poor policy formulation rather than responsive governance, as the administration announces harsh policies with little evidence of meaningful consultation, only to retreat when confronted by overwhelming public opposition.
Impact on Educational Inequality
Atiku warned that raising the cost of public examinations would widen educational inequality, compound the out-of-school children crisis, and shut out brilliant but financially disadvantaged students from accessing higher education. He emphasized that education should be a ladder out of poverty, not a luxury reserved for the privileged. The former vice president called on the government to treat the reversal as a starting point rather than a conclusion, urging stakeholders to design a long-term funding structure for WAEC and NECO that strengthens both examination bodies without transferring financial pressure onto struggling families.
Call for Sustainable Funding Model
Atiku urged the Federal Government to engage stakeholders in developing a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO. He stressed that a nation as important as Nigeria cannot be governed like a laboratory for endless experimentation, and Nigerians deserve leadership that listens before it acts, consults before it decides, and gets it right the first time. The ADC flagbearer drew a contrast ahead of the 2027 general elections, asking Nigerians to consider whether they want an administration driven by trial and error or one with a proven track record in national governance.
Context: WAEC 2026 Enrolment
In related developments, WAEC reported higher female participation in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with girls exceeding boys in enrolment figures. Over 1.9 million candidates have registered for the 2026 examination across more than 24,000 schools nationwide. WAEC also noted increased adoption of computer-based testing (CBT) reforms alongside tighter exam security measures, including question serialisation. These reforms aim to improve the integrity and efficiency of the examination process.
