Post by Stephen Onuh Uwodi (@Enefuojo)

EDUCATION SHOULD BE A RIGHT, NOT A LUXURY: TINUBU'S 82% WAEC/NECO FEE HIKE IS A CRUSHING BLOW TO NIGERIAN FAMILIES

The decision by the Tinubu-led APC government to approve an 82% increase in WAEC and NECO examination fees—from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027—is a deeply troubling policy that risks placing secondary education beyond the reach of millions of Nigerian families. At a time when citizens are already struggling with soaring inflation, rising food prices, high transportation costs, unemployment, and declining purchasing power, imposing such a significant increase on a compulsory school examination raises serious concerns about the government's priorities.

For countless Nigerian parents, meeting basic household needs has become increasingly difficult. Many families have multiple children in secondary school. Requiring ₦50,000 per child for examination registration means that some households could be forced to pay well over ₦100,000 or ₦150,000 just to allow their children to sit for examinations that are essential for further education and employment. Such costs may lead some students to postpone or abandon their education altogether.

Education is one of the most effective tools for reducing poverty, promoting national development, and creating opportunities for young people. Policies that substantially increase the financial barriers to accessing education risk widening inequality between children from wealthier households and those from low-income families. Rather than expanding access to quality education, such measures may leave more students behind.

This decision also raises important policy questions. If governments can allocate substantial public resources to other sectors, many Nigerians will reasonably ask why greater efforts are not being made to protect access to basic education by reducing or subsidizing examination costs. Public confidence is strengthened when governments are seen to prioritize investments that directly improve citizens' opportunities, especially for young people.

An increase of this magnitude may also have broader social consequences. Financial barriers to education can contribute to higher school dropout rates, reduced transition to tertiary education, and fewer opportunities for social mobility. In the long term, limiting access to education may undermine national productivity and development.

A more balanced approach would have involved extensive consultation with parents, schools, education stakeholders, and civil society, alongside measures to cushion the impact on vulnerable families. If additional funding is genuinely required to maintain examination standards, government could consider targeted subsidies, phased adjustments, or financial support for low-income candidates rather than imposing a steep increase at once.

Ultimately, many Nigerians will judge this policy not only by its financial implications but also by what it signals about national priorities. In a period marked by significant economic hardship, making access to essential secondary school examinations considerably more expensive risks placing an even heavier burden on families already under pressure. A government committed to expanding educational opportunity should seek ways to make learning more accessible, not more costly.

Stephen Onuh Uwodi

0 likes · 0 comments · 0 shares