Olabode Omoyele Commends FG For Halting Proposed N50,000 WAEC, NECO Fee Hike

 

 

An All Progressives Congress,APC Chieftain, Mr. Olabode Omoyele, has commended the Federal Government for suspending the proposed N50,000 increase in registration fees for WAEC and NECO examinations.

 

Olabode, in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, described the decision as “timely and people-centered,” noting that the hike would have placed an unbearable burden on parents and guardians already grappling with the rising cost of living.

 

“The Federal Government deserves commendation for listening to the cries of Nigerians and putting the interest of students first,” he said. “Education remains the bedrock of national development, and any policy that threatens access must be reviewed with caution and empathy.”

 

The proposed adjustment, which was said to take effect in the 2026 examination cycle, sparked widespread criticism from parents, civil society groups, and education stakeholders who argued that it would force many students out of school.

 

He urged government to go beyond the suspension and work with WAEC, NECO, and other stakeholders to develop a sustainable funding model that does not transfer the entire cost to parents.

 

“We must protect the right of every Nigerian child to write these terminal examinations without financial intimidation,” he added. “I call on the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to engage stakeholders to ensure transparency in the fee structure going forward.”

 

He also appealed to state governments to complement the Federal Government’s gesture by increasing budgetary allocation to the education sector and providing subsidies for indigent students.

 

The Federal Ministry of Education had earlier announced that the proposed N50,000 hike had been put on hold pending further consultations with examination bodies and other stakeholders.