By Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo milr fcia fimpa JP
Education is a bedrock for personal, technological, industrial and all encompassing development of humanity and nationhood.
The people saddled with the task of managing the education sector should not only be sound in mind but also possess the required credentials that will make them have the ability to provide objective Policy formulations, guide and implementation devoid of error of judgement on issues that can aid education policy in all facets that will positively affect and impact the direct beneficiaries such as students , teachers, tutors, lecturers and society at large.
The recent happenings in our education sector need comprehensive review so as to provide required solutions, it has never been like this both in the very far and recent pasts.
The manner at which bandits focused on the Nigeria school system is not only alarming but also dreadful , whereas, the focus of our leaders is more on political re-engineering than social Services that are supposed to be more beneficial to the populace than the selected segment of the society as it is today in Nigeria.
The social services that people benefited from both in pre and post Nigeria independence have gone into the thin air, Nigerian populace now fend for themselves in terms of provision of social services / amenities in their neighborhood, among the different micro and macro segments of the societies.
The banditry and policy somersaults attack and counter attack on the hapless and innocent school children in recent times has become so rampant and unabated leading to death, maiming, psychological distress by all occupants and stakeholders in the school ecosystem.
Consequently, the school management, teachers, students, pupils and all care-givers are all victims of maladministration, cluelessness, greed and visionless political leaders saddled with the Nigeria education Management system.
It is endless to begin to mention schools where bandits have struck in recent pasts across Nigeria; is it in the North West, North East, North Central and recently in the South West majorly in the remotest parts of Nigeria
For instance, the dimension that the banditry attack on teachers and pupils took in oyo State , was not only deadly but also scaring because of the age of the pupils involved as low as age one and half years (1 year six months old pupil), school principal, teachers and the manner the mathematics teacher Mr Oyedokun was beheaded gruesomely, this deadly approach put Oyo State on the world radar of unwholesome banditry empire and very unprecedented.
We will recall the black Friday when mass abduction in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria, happened on May 15, 2026; Armed men attacked three schools, abducting 49 pupils, teachers, and a toddler.
Thank God almighty , all the people and security personnel involved in the rescue operations of the victims after 56 days in the den of their captors.
We mourn and sympathise with the families of all the security operatives that paid the supreme price for the rescue of the innocent pupils their teachers and the principal, Federal and Oyo State Governments should not allow their sacrifices to be in vain
It was least expected that when the victims were released on the 10th July, 2026 with euphoria of independence from captivity and house of lions that did not devour the innocent pupils and their educational moulders, then Federal Government through Ministry of Education could issue a circular increasing WAEC and NECO registration fees by 82% I e to (N50,000) fifty thousand Naira , on the 13th July,2026; very insensitive timing and approach to public governance, even to satisfy whose interest?
Unfortunately, the Federal Government tried to justify the increment by saying that the “approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fee for candidates sitting the examinations from 2027.
“The new fee represents an increase from the current N27,500, meaning candidates will pay N22,500 amounting to N59,000, when the new rate takes effect.
The approval contained in a June 18 statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, the decision followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on March 31, 2026, where the need to review examination fees was discussed.
It is very annoying that the Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa could preside over a meeting where such destructive, apartheid inclined and retrogressive decisions could be taken to deny millions of secondary school youths of their progressive attainment in their education fulfillment
Also , to the extent that the Minister of Education further directed that WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate Examination which was not the same order before the unpalatable pronouncements .
The statement read: “You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the honourable minister of education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa on 31 March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the honourable minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE.*
“Consequently, I am directed to convey the honourable minister of education’s approval of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”
The ministry directed that the approval be communicated to all relevant stakeholders ahead of the implementation of the new fee.Government
The approval was hitherto conveyed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said the approval had been granted.
“I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he said the approval was done,” Boriowo said.
The Nigerian populace, students, parents and all critical stakeholders received this information with sadness and disappointment because the onslaught against the education system in recent times is very gruesome and inhuman, it is very necessary and expedient for people in government to desist from annoying God, because the majority of the present occupiers of seat of power enjoyed both local and international/ foreign scholarships of different types during their days in secondary schools; why then running discriminatory education policy that can deny children of the poor access to good and qualitative education.
I am convinced that it is a deliberate ploy to make children of the poor be subservient to the children of the elite , honestly, the is very wicked and annoying to the entire populace.
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has described the proposed increase in the registration fees for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) , as excessive.
In the voice of the National Chairman of NAPTAN’s Board of Trustees, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said “the increase was too steep, considering the financial burden already borne by parents.”
“The increase is too high for our liking and acceptance. If the examination bodies are seeking an increase because of the rising cost of living, I think it should be gradual, perhaps not more than 25 per cent. What they are proposing is well above 75 per cent, and that is too much,” he said.
In the same vein, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) rejected the Federal Ministry of Education’s approval of the upward review of registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), the student’s body rejected the decision as insensitive to the prevailing economic realities facing Nigerians.
In a press release issued on Saturday and signed by its President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the students’ body condemned both the ministry’s approval and the proposal by the examination bodies to increase the fees.
“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,” NANS said.
The association argued that the increase would place further financial strain on students and their families when many Nigerians are already grappling with the effects of ongoing 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 said.
The students’ body also faulted the decision-making process, alleging that the approval was granted without adequate consultation with stakeholders, particularly the National Association of Nigerian Students, which it described as the apex body representing 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 said.
It is highly commendable that the two critical stakeholders cried out loudly against this heartless, provocative shallow minded policy which did not consider the place of youths in the future development of this country
Although, the Federal Government has approved the suspension of the unpopular decision via a statement issued by the Director of press Mrs Folasade Boriowo in Abuja, July 13, 2026 explained that the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
“The ministry has withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken”. The statement declared
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the decision followed concerns and constructive feedback from members of the public over the proposed increase.
It was explained that the proposed review was necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
The Director of press listed the increasing costs of logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services as factors responsible for the proposal.
in her words, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the federal government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
it was added that the ministry would engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders as part of the fresh review process.
”The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” she said.
Honestly , it is a policy somersault blatant afterthought and sense of exploitation that the Federal Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa can now say that “the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remained central to the federal government’s education agenda.
What manner of propaganda and sweet talk?
What manner of appreciation are the Federal Ministry of Education is now extending to stakeholders in education sector who were treated with disdain and ignominy by putting the cart before the horse in policy decision in the manner the Policy pronouncement was made in the increases in WAEC and NECO registration payments. .
*Suspension in the proposed sales of Federal unity schools*
As a result of the warrrisome development bedevilling the school system the Federal Minister of Education should be wary of his proposed sales of Federal unity schools, first established in 1966, to his cronies to avert backlash effect that will erupt the education sector.
If Federal remains stubborn and recalcitrant in the proposed sales of the Federal unity schools the school system will be disrupted because there will be spontaneous reactions and unprecedented industrial unrest.
Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Honourable Minister of Education should check his back and desist from what will mar his good name he has built over the years.
In order to prevent policy somersaults in Nigeria’s education sector, there is a need for sincere and a down to heart legislative framework to dissuade arbitrary policy reversals, personalising educational planning, and ensuring sustainable and improved budget allocations in line with UNICEF and United Nations and other international organisations and multilateral benchmarks.
In addition, the National Council on Education (NCE) and professional bodies like the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) should be empowered alongside other stakeholders
e.g., ASUU, NUT, ASUSS and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) to drive education policy in Nigeria,
In my personal opinion , any moneybags that intend to be a school proprietor should go ahead and establish his/ her own school not to commercialise the existing legacy inclined Federal unity schools established in 1966, to foster unity and unhindered access to education by all and sundries.
A word is enough for the wise!!!
Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga milr fcia fimpa JP is a Trade Unionist, industrial relations practitioner, Public Policy Analyst, National Secretary JNPSNC and General Secretary Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU)