The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for All Nigerians (CERON) has publicly opposed the federal government’s decision to increase registration costs for WAEC and NECO examinations to N50,000. Francis Odiir, the group’s secretary, labeled the move as tone-deaf given the current economic crisis affecting the nation.
The Ministry of Education authorized these new fees despite widespread financial strain on households. Odiir emphasized that families are currently prioritizing basic survival, such as purchasing food, over educational expenses. By raising these costs, the government is intensifying the struggle for parents already dealing with inflation.
CERON argued that this policy reveals a disconnect between policymakers and the citizens they serve. The organization warned that the fee hike could exacerbate the number of out-of-school children, as many students might be forced to drop out if their families cannot cover the expense. The group has called for an immediate reversal of the policy, citing strong disapproval from parents and education stakeholders across the country.
