Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress(ADC) presidential candidate, 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(WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council(NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination(SSCE), describing the move as a victory for Nigerian students, parents and civil society groups.

However, Atiku criticised the President Bola Tinubu administration for what he called a pattern of introducing unpopular policies without adequate consultation, saying Nigeria “is not a laboratory for reckless policy experiments.”

The federal government had on Monday suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 WASSCE, NECO SSCE, following widespread public criticism over the planned increase.

The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, who said the June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders before any final decision is taken.

The ministry explained that the proposed increase was driven by rising costs associated with conducting credible national examinations but noted that the government remained committed to ensuring access to quality education through inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

Reacting in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the government’s reversal vindicated his earlier warning that increasing examination fees would further widen educational inequality and deny many indigent students access to higher education.

“The suspension is welcome, but it also raises an uncomfortable question: why must this government always wait for public outrage before correcting policies that should never have been conceived in the first place?” he said.

According to the former vice president, governance should not be based on trial and error.

“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 stated.

Atiku argued that the Tinubu administration had developed a pattern of announcing harsh policies with little consultation, only to reverse them after sustained public backlash.

“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,” he said.

He added that effective leadership requires anticipating the consequences of public policies before implementation rather than relying on citizens’ protests to identify policy shortcomings.

“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,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate warned that the proposed examination fee increase would have placed an additional financial burden on families already grappling with inflation, high transportation costs, rising electricity tariffs and declining purchasing power.

The Federal Government has suspended the recent hike of the fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, and the National Examinations Council, NECO, Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE.

The development follows backlash that trailed the increments.

The suspension was announced in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on Monday.

According to the Federal Government, the June 18th, 2026 letter conveying the hike of WAEC and NECO fees has been withdrawn.

The government said the suspension was to give room for review and further engagement with stakeholders.

“The Ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education.

“The proposed review was informed by the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. The current examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services required to maintain the integrity and credibility of public examinations across the country.

“Nevertheless, the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the federal government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.

“This decision underscores the ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive, and reflect the collective interest of the nation.

“As part of the fresh review process, the ministry will further engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labor, education stakeholders, and other critical partners to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable, transparent, and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education.

“Accordingly, the proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process.

“The Federal Ministry of Education reassures Nigerians that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policy decisions remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the education sector.

“The ministry appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of all stakeholders and remains committed to keeping the public fully informed throughout the consultation process,” the statement released by the Ministry of Education said.

‎Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has pleaded not guilty to allegations of forging his university degree and his NYSC discharge certificate brought against him by the federal government.

‎The former Minister, who was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

‎Nnaji is facing six counts of forging a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate submitted during his ministerial screening in 2023.

The charges further covered claims of receiving approximately N29.5 million in salary and emoluments under false pretenses, as well as money laundering allegations

After his plea of not guilty on Monday, the prosecutor informed the court that he was ready to proceed to trial, with three witnesses available in the courtroom already.

‎Ogwu Onoja, SAN, counsel for the defendant pleaded for more time to prepare for trial and informed the court of a pending application for bail filed on 9 July. The prosecutor did not oppose to the application for bail.

‎In a short ruling, the trial judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20million with one surety who must not be below level 15 in the Federal civil service. The surety must be residing in Abuja. Other terms of bail include that Nnaji deposits his official and personal passports.

‎Nnaji being charged to court follows months of investigation questioning the authenticity of his documents. Both UNN and the NYSC have reportedly disowned the certificates in question.

‎He was arrested on June 30, 2026, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his arrival from Enugu.

‎The arrest was executed following a Federal High Court order issued on June 11, 2026, after he allegedly failed to honor multiple invitations for investigative interviews.

‎Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position on October 7, 2025, describing the move as a “principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process” amid ongoing judicial proceedings, and denying any wrongdoing. He has previously described elements of the case as politically motivated.

‎The defendant is the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Enugu State.

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