Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and presidential candidate, has praised the Federal Government for halting the planned price hike for WAEC and NECO registration fees. However, he warned that the nation should not be treated as a site for impulsive policy testing. A statement released by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, characterized the reversal as a triumph for parents, students, and advocacy groups who vocalized their opposition against an inequitable burden.
Abubakar argued that making public exams unaffordable would have widened the educational divide and increased the number of children dropping out of school. He questioned why the current administration frequently relies on public backlash to identify flaws in its planning. The former vice president insisted that effective leadership requires consulting with stakeholders prior to implementation rather than forcing citizens to endure unnecessary distress.
Highlighting a concerning trend of reactive governance, he noted that the administration often withdraws unpopular decisions only after facing widespread resistance. He emphasized that education must remain a gateway to opportunity rather than a luxury for the wealthy, especially given the current economic hardships faced by families. Abubakar concluded by urging the Tinubu government to shift toward evidence-based policymaking that prioritizes empathy and long-term sustainability over reactive trial and error.
