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Atiku Condemns FG Proposed ₦50,000 Uniform WAEC, NECO Fees

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2 months ago

July 12, 2026

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Atiku Condemns FG Proposed ₦50,000 Uniform WAEC, NECO Fees

Ex-Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the reported approval of a uniform ₦50,000 examination fee for candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council examinations from 2027, warning that the policy would deny millions of children access to education.
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Atiku also condemned the recent increase in fees charged by Federal Unity Colleges, describing the measures as economically insensitive and inconsistent with the government’s constitutional obligation to make education accessible to every Nigerian child.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said the Tinubu-led government is imposing additional financial burdens on families already struggling under the weight of inflation, rising food prices, high transportation costs, electricity tariff increases and widespread unemployment.

“It is unconscionable that at a time when Nigerian families are battling record inflation, soaring food prices, rising transportation costs, crippling electricity tariffs, stagnant incomes and widespread unemployment, the Tinubu administration has chosen to make education even more expensive,” Atiku said.

He argued that education remains the most effective instrument for breaking the cycle of poverty and warned that increasing the cost of schooling would further widen inequality.

“A government that genuinely believes in the future of its people does not erect financial barriers between children and education. It removes them. Education is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy; it is the birthright of every Nigerian child and the foundation upon which prosperous nations are built,” he stated.

The ADC chieftain noted that the proposed examination fee and higher Unity School charges were particularly troubling because they come at a time Nigeria is grappling with one of the world’s largest out-of-school children populations.

According to him, estimates put the number of Nigerian children and young people outside the classroom at between 10.5m and 15m.

“Nigeria already bears the painful distinction of having one of the largest populations of out-of-school children in the world. Any government confronted with such a national emergency should be investing aggressively to bring these children back into school. Instead, this administration is choosing policies that will inevitably swell those numbers,” he said.

Atiku warned that higher examination fees would disproportionately affect children from poor and middle-income households, many of whose parents are already forced to choose between meeting basic needs and paying school-related expenses.

“The consequences of these policies extend far beyond school gates. Every child priced out of education today becomes tomorrow’s victim of unemployment, poverty, child labour, criminal exploitation, drug abuse or insecurity. Nations do not become prosperous by making education more expensive; they prosper by making education more accessible,” he added.

He further argued that the proposed ₦50,000 fee for WAEC and NECO examinations would create another barrier to tertiary education for indigent students.

“It is a systemic filter that will inevitably restrict access to tertiary education for thousands of indigent but academically qualified Nigerian students. For many children from low-income families, the journey to university does not end at the admission gate—it is terminated long before then by the inability to afford the qualifying examinations that determine their future,” he said.

He noted that although more than two million candidates seek admission into tertiary institutions annually, public universities admit only between 500,000 and 700,000 students because of inadequate infrastructure.

“Rather than addressing this structural deficit by expanding infrastructure and increasing admission capacity, the government is effectively constricting access even further through higher Unity School fees and the proposed ₦50,000 WAEC and NECO examination fee. The result is a cruel double punishment,” he said.

The former Vice President also questioned the government’s emphasis on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, arguing that student loans cannot compensate for policies that make it difficult for children to complete secondary education or sit qualifying examinations.

“A university loan offers little comfort to a child who has already been priced out of secondary education or cannot afford the qualifying examination required to secure admission. A government cannot credibly claim to be expanding access to higher education while simultaneously erecting financial barriers that prevent millions of young Nigerians from ever reaching the university gates,” he noted.

Atiku maintained that meaningful education reform should focus on making education affordable at the basic and secondary levels, expanding university infrastructure and ensuring that poverty does not determine access to learning.

“No nation has ever taxed its way into educational excellence. Countries that aspire to economic greatness invest more—not less—in education during difficult times because they understand that human capital is the engine of sustainable development,” he stressed.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the increase in Unity School fees and shelve the proposed ₦50,000 WAEC and NECO examination fee, while convening a stakeholders’ dialogue on sustainable financing of public education.

Atiku

He also urged the Federal Government to invest more in public schools, recruit additional teachers, expand the capacity of tertiary institutions and ensure that no Nigerian child is denied education because of financial hardship.

The statement comes amid growing public debate over the affordability of education following recent increases in school-related charges and concerns about the rising cost of living.

Although the Federal Government has introduced NELFUND to improve access to tertiary education, critics argue that affordability challenges begin much earlier in the education value chain, particularly at the secondary school level where students must complete qualifying examinations before seeking university admission.

The plan to introduce a uniform ₦50,000 examination fee for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027 has also sparked widespread public reactions, with stakeholders calling for clarity from the relevant authorities on the policy.
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Related Topics:Atiku Education NECO WAEC

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Tinubu Government Unveils $1 Billion HOPE-SP Initiative, Shifts Humanitarian Support from Palliatives to Sustainable Pathways

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2 hours ago

August 27, 2026

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Tinubu Government Unveils $1 Billion HOPE-SP Initiative, Shifts Humanitarian Support from Palliatives to Sustainable Pathways

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has officially unveiled and launched the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), themed “From Palliatives to Pathways,” alongside key reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection and humanitarian response architecture.
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The Special Guest of Honour, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, while unveiling the initiatives on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, commended the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro and his team for his commitment to transforming humanitarian interventions from temporary assistance into sustainable pathways to recovery, empowerment and self-reliance.

She noted that, the initiatives are designed to improve the identification, targeting and support of vulnerable households, strengthen coordination across humanitarian and poverty-reduction programmes, provide shock-responsive assistance, and promote accountability and measurable outcomes.

In his presentation, the Honourable Minister, Dr. Doro, said, the launch represents a strategic shift *“from palliatives to pathways”,* placing vulnerable households, rather than individual programmes, at the centre of government interventions.

Dr. Doro explained that, the reform seeks to address fragmentation, duplication and multiple uncoordinated registries by establishing a unified national architecture linking identification, needs assessment, targeted intervention, protection, empowerment, poverty graduation and sustainable growth.

The Minister stated that, the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS) will serve as a major system reform, bringing humanitarian response, social protection and poverty reduction interventions into a coordinated national framework supported by unified registries, digital delivery systems, improved financing, stronger institutions, accountability and real-time intelligence.

Other initiatives unveiled included the Emergency Shock-Responsive Cash Transfer, the FMHAPR Ministerial Blueprint, and the Humanitarian First Magazine, which will document the experiences and impact of government interventions on beneficiaries.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, said, the initiatives would strengthen coordination and accountability stressing that, the ultimate measure of success would be the tangible difference made in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

First Lady

Goodwill messages were delivered by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum on behalf of other Governors and sub-national governments, the Hon. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar A. Bagudu, the former Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu,
the European Union, World Bank, other international development partners all commended the federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection and Humanitarian systems.

The event featured a cultural performance by the Irigwe New Wave Dance Troupe from Plateau State.

Janet McDickson Noah
Director, Information & Public Relations
Eereporter.com

Economy

Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Others Grace Shekina and Shope’s Wedding in Lagos

Published

4 days ago

August 23, 2026

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Umahi, Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Others Grace Shekina and Shope’s Wedding in Lagos

It was a celebration of love, family, friendship and distinguished personalities in Lagos on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as Shekina Chidinma Umahi and Shope Alexandra Ayinde were joined in holy matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Powerlink Chapel, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
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Shekina, a niece of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, is the daughter of Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Pastor Obi Abel Umahi, DSc, OFR, while Shope is the son of Commodore NN (Rtd.) Deacon Adebayo Abidemi Ayinde.

The wedding brought together governors, senior government officials, lawmakers, business leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, family members and friends from across the country to celebrate the young couple.

The Honourable Minister of Works, who also serves as the Deputy Director-General of Infrastructure, Mobilization and Sensitization of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, was present at the ceremony to celebrate with his niece and the families of the newlyweds and was joined by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, CON; and Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, who chaired the occasion.

In his opening remarks as Chairman of the occasion, Governor Alex Otti described marriage as a lifelong commitment and urged the newlyweds to embrace patience, understanding and tolerance as they begin their journey together.

With humour, the Abia State Governor stressed the permanence of marriage, telling the couple that they should approach their union with a strong commitment to making it work.

“I want to tell you in advance that I won’t be present and as such, I declare that this marriage is indissoluble,” he said.

In separate remarks, the parents of the bride and groom expressed gratitude and joy at witnessing the marriage of their children.

They praised Shekina and Shope for distinguishing themselves through their formative years and into adulthood, describing them as outstanding young people who had continued to make their families proud.

They prayed for God’s guidance, peace, happiness and prosperity in their marriage and wished them a fulfilling life together.

The Umahi family also formally welcomed the couple with the presentation of family gifts.

On behalf of the Umahi family, the Chairman of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Laz Umahi, PhD, presented the gifts to the newlyweds.

The ceremony attracted a gathering of political leaders, statesmen and captains of industry.

Other governors present at the event included the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Her Excellency Patricia Obila; Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Usman Ododo, represented by his deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo; Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea; and Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor.

Among the captains of industry, statesmen and
other distinguished personalities at the occasion were Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings; Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement; Admiral Alison Madueke, GCON, former Chief of Naval Staff; Mr. Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, represented by Chidi Okpara; Prof. Patrick Utomi; Mr. Adebiyi Olalekan, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lorelei Construction Limited; Engr. Solomon Dacree; Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, Chairman of Orient Global Limited; Chief Ifeanyi Clement Okorie, Chairman of Rock Results Group; and Barr. Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East), among others.

The Ministry of Works was also represented at the ceremony, with the Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Goronyo; Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works; Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman of the House Committee on Works; and Engr. Musa Saidu, Director of Highways, Bridges and Designs, among others, joining in the celebration.

Umahi, Sanwo-Olu

Other members of the Umahi family at the ceremony included HRH Eze Laz Umahi, PhD, Chairman of the Uburu Traditional Rulers Council; Barr. Roy Umahi, SAN, FCArb, of Roy and Associates; and Chief Austine Umahi (Anyanwu Igbo), Chairman of the Amino Kano University Board.

The wedding provided a memorable gathering of the two families, their friends and well-wishers, with guests celebrating the union and offering prayers and goodwill for a happy, peaceful and enduring marriage.

Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
Sunday 23, 2026
Eereporter.com

Economy

Nigeria’s Diversity is Our Strengthen, Unity Must Remain Our Greates Asset, Says Minister Mohammed Idris

Published

2 weeks ago

August 15, 2026

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Nigeria’s Diversity is Our Strengthen, Unity Must Remain Our Greates Asset, Says Minister Mohammed Idris

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength, urging citizens to promote unity and mutual understanding, noting that what binds Nigerians together is far greater than what divides them.
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Idris stated this on Friday, August 14, 2026, when he attended the wake-keep of the late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar in Obudu, Cross River State, alongside family members, friends, and dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade; Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar; and the Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang.

The late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar, who died at the age of 76, was an elder brother to Senator Ayade and Dr. Frank Ayade.

The Minister said the gathering reflected the richness of Nigeria’s diversity and the ability of citizens from different backgrounds to unite in solidarity.

“What I have seen today is the diversity of Nigeria and how it can be further harnessed to promote unity in this country. Nigerians from all walks of life are Nigerians first. Therefore, we must celebrate them wherever they are,” he said.

While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Idris noted that the occasion also provided an opportunity to honour a life that fostered unity among people.

“It is a moment of sorrow that he has passed on, but also a moment of gratitude that he lived a worthy life, one that helped bring people together,” the Minister said.

He called on Nigerians to continue to promote unity and shared values, while leveraging the country’s diverse cultures and traditions as assets for national development.

“We must strengthen our unity, uphold our shared values, and also see our diversity as a resource that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy,” he said.