Atiku welcomes suspension of WAEC, NECO fee hike, criticises Tinubu's policy approach

Education, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), describing the reversal as a victory for Nigerians.

However, Atiku criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of repeatedly introducing policies without adequate consultation and reversing course only after widespread public opposition.

In a statement issued on Monday, the former Vice President said the suspension of the proposed fee increase vindicated the concerns raised by many Nigerians over the affordability of public examinations.

“I welcome the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees. This reversal is a victory for millions of Nigerian parents, students, civil society organisations and all citizens who refused to remain silent in the face of an unjust policy,” he said.

According to Atiku, increasing examination fees at a time of economic hardship would have worsened educational inequality and denied many indigent students access to 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.

The former Vice President questioned why the government often waited for public outrage before reversing controversial policies.

“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.

Atiku argued that effective governance requires consultation before policies are announced rather than after public resistance.

“Governing is not a laboratory for reckless experimentation. Sound governments consult before they decide, not after Nigerians have been subjected to needless anxiety and uncertainty,” he said.

He alleged that the Tinubu administration had developed a pattern of introducing what he described as harsh policies without meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

“It is becoming a disturbing pattern. This administration announces harsh policies with little evidence of meaningful consultation, only to retreat when confronted by overwhelming public opposition. That is not responsive governance; it reflects poor policy formulation,” Atiku said.

He further argued that government should anticipate the social and economic consequences of its decisions before implementing them.

“The purpose of leadership is to anticipate the consequences of public policy before it is implemented. A government that repeatedly relies on public resistance to discover its mistakes is admitting, whether intentionally or not, that it is disconnected from the daily realities of its citizens,” he stated.

According to Atiku, the proposed increase would have imposed additional financial pressure on families already struggling with inflation, rising transportation costs, higher electricity tariffs and declining purchasing power.

He commended parents, teachers, labour unions, student groups, education stakeholders and other Nigerians whose public advocacy contributed to the suspension of the proposed fee increase.

Atiku also urged the Federal Government to engage relevant stakeholders in developing a sustainable funding model for WAEC and NECO that would strengthen the examination bodies without placing additional financial burdens on families.

“Consultation is not a sign of weakness; it is the foundation of responsible governance. A government that listens only after Nigerians cry out is a government that has stopped listening to the people it was elected to serve,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the ADC presidential candidate said Nigerians would have the opportunity to choose what he described as experienced leadership over what he called governance driven by trial and error.

“The lesson from this latest policy reversal is simple: a nation as important as Nigeria cannot be governed like a laboratory for endless experimentation. Nigerians deserve leadership that listens before it acts, consults before it decides and gets it right the first time,” Atiku added.