🔥 Trending FG Suspends WAEC and NECO Fee Hike: What You Need to Know

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has suspended the proposed N50,000 fee hike for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations due to widespread public outrage and pressure from various stakeholders ¹²³⁶.

Background of the Proposed Hike

Earlier, there were plans to increase the examination fees for both WAEC and NECO, with reports indicating a proposed N50,000 hike ¹. This move was met with significant public disapproval, as many Nigerians expressed concerns that it would make education more expensive and less accessible, particularly for low-income families ³.

Reasons for Suspension

The primary reasons for the FG's decision to suspend the fee hike are:

• Widespread Public Outcry: The proposed increase triggered a strong negative reaction from the public, parents, students, and various civil society organizations ¹²⁶. Social media platforms and news outlets were flooded with condemnations of the policy ¹⁵.
• Political Pressure and Condemnation: Prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, criticized the proposed hike. Atiku stated that the FG was making education more expensive for Nigerians, while Obi hailed the suspension as a victory for Nigerians ³⁴⁸. Peter Obi also emphasized that governance should not be treated as "a laboratory for reckless experimentation" ².
• Commitment to Broader Consultations: The FG has indicated that the suspension will allow for broader consultations on the matter ¹. This suggests a need to re-evaluate the policy in light of public sentiment and potential socio-economic impacts.
• Calls for Education Reforms: Some, like Peter Obi, suggested that the suspension should mark the beginning of broader education reforms rather than being merely a temporary response to public outrage ².

The suspension, announced on July 14, 2026, reflects the government's response to the significant public backlash and the need to address concerns about the affordability of education in Nigeria ⁶.