𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 ₦𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗪𝗔𝗘𝗖, 𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗢 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗦, 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗟
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the reported approval of an upward review in the registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), describing the decision as insensitive and burdensome to millions of Nigerian students.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, July 11, 2026, and signed by its President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS criticized the Federal Ministry of Education for approving what it claimed is an increase in examination fees to ₦50,000 each for WAEC and NECO, bringing the total cost for candidates sitting both examinations to ₦100,000, excluding additional charges imposed by schools.
The student body argued that the increase comes at a time when many Nigerian families are already struggling with the effects of ongoing economic reforms, warning that the policy could deny children from low-income households access to secondary education certification.
NANS described the decision as "cruel" and lacking empathy, insisting that the government should instead be introducing measures to ease the financial burden on citizens rather than imposing additional costs on students and their parents.
The association further accused the Federal Ministry of Education of approving the fee adjustment without consulting the leadership of Nigerian students, stressing that decisions affecting millions of students should not be taken unilaterally.
According to the statement, the association believes the ministry failed to follow due process by excluding NANS from discussions on a policy that directly impacts students nationwide.
NANS also urged the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the leadership of WAEC and NECO, to make examination registration more affordable and accessible instead of increasing fees amid the current economic hardship.
The association called for the immediate reversal of the reported fee hike and demanded that the Ministry of Education involve the apex students' body in future policy decisions affecting Nigerian students.
NANS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests and welfare of Nigerian students, pledging to continue advocating for policies that promote affordable and accessible education across the country.
Source: National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Press Release.