Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the current administration for raising public education costs. He specifically targeted the fee increases at Federal Unity Colleges and the planned ₦50,000 examination charge for WAEC and NECO candidates starting in 2027, labeling these measures as harsh.
Represented by his aide Phrank Shaibu, the ADC presidential candidate argued that these policies ignore the harsh economic reality facing Nigerian households, who are currently struggling with high inflation and unemployment. Atiku stated that education serves as a vital tool for social advancement, and increasing costs will only force more children out of the classroom.
With Nigeria already facing a crisis involving millions of out-of-school children, Atiku warned that the government’s approach is counterproductive. He pointed out that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is ineffective if students are priced out of secondary education long before they reach the university level.
Atiku challenged the government to prioritize affordability at the primary and secondary levels rather than focusing on loan schemes. He officially requested that President Tinubu withdraw the fee hikes immediately and host a dialogue to discuss sustainable education funding. The former Vice President concluded that his party remains dedicated to ensuring that quality education is treated as a basic public right rather than a luxury for the wealthy.
