Peter Obi, 2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has reacted following the suspension of the recently introduced examination fees for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO), Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
He described the suspension as “victory for the Nigerian people”.
The Federal Ministry of Education had increased examinations fees, however, following public outcry, the Minister, Dr. Madrid Tunji Alausa, was forced to order the suspension, which was announced via a Press Release on Monday 13 July, 2026.
Taking to X, the former Governor of Anambra State said, he received the news with “relief” as he praised the Ministry for listening to the uproar from Nigerians and placing the policy on suspension.
Obi said, the introduction of the fees was “unnecessary” considering the “great hardship” Nigerians are facing currently, adding, the government should be investing in basic education to lower the out-of-school children in their millions in the country.
In his reaction, Obi said: “I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people.
“While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry and suspending the policy, it must be said that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship,
“when we should be doing everything possible to invest in basic education and reduce the millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria.”
The former Labour Party (LP) member said, Nigerians are “struggling to make ends meet”, and instead of “restricting” access to education, it should be “expanded”.
He said, education should be a “fundamental right” not a “source of government revenue”; adding, when multiple fees are imposed on education at the basic level, it could result to children being denied their right to education.
Obi reacted: “At a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, access to education should be expanded, not restricted. Education is a fundamental right and a public good, not a source of government revenue.
“Imposing multiple fees at the basic education level risks denying many children their right to education. At that stage, the State has a duty to invest in educating and preparing its citizens for productive lives, not to erect financial barriers that keep them out of school.”
The former African Democratic Congress (ADC) member said, having “humility” when it comes to reversing policies that slam “unnecessary hardship” on the people is “true leadership”. Also, he called for “reconsideration” to several other “anti-people” policies.
Obi further reacted: “True leadership is demonstrated not only by making decisions but also by having the humility to reverse policies that impose unnecessary hardship on the people. Many other anti-people policies deserve similar reconsideration.
“I thank the citizens, parents, and advocacy groups whose voices made this reversal possible.”
