The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised the Federal Ministry of Education over the reported approval of an increase in registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), describing the decision as insensitive to the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.
In a statement issued and signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the association rejected both the ministry’s reported approval and the proposed fee hike by the examination bodies.
According to NANS, the proposed review would raise the registration fee for each examination to ₦50,000, meaning candidates intending to sit for both WAEC and NECO would pay a combined ₦100,000, excluding other charges imposed by schools.
“The reported increase raises the registration fee for each examination to N50,000, bringing the combined cost for candidates intending to sit both WAEC and NECO examinations to N100,000, excluding additional charges imposed by schools,” the statement read.
The students’ body argued that the increase would worsen the financial burden on students and their families at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with the impact of the country’s economic reforms.
“If the Federal Ministry of Education and the leadership of WAEC and NECO cannot make the examinations more affordable and accessible, they should refrain from introducing policies that would further burden students and parents,” NANS stated.
The association also criticised the process leading to the reported approval, alleging that key stakeholders, including NANS, were not consulted before the decision was taken.
It maintained that a policy affecting millions of students should not be introduced without engaging the body recognised as the umbrella association for Nigerian students.
“A decision of this magnitude, affecting millions of students across the country, cannot be made unilaterally by the Ministry of Education. Anything for us, without us, is against us,” the statement added.
NANS called on the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately withdraw the reported fee increase and ensure that student representatives are involved in future policy decisions affecting the education sector.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests and welfare of Nigerian students nationwide.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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