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“Exam Fee Shock! WAEC And NECO Fees Skyrocket To ₦50,000, Sparking National Outrage!”.
The Federal Government has approved a new ₦50,000 registration fee for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations, effective from 2027. This amount reflects an approximately 82 per cent increase from the current fee of ₦27,500.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The approval was conveyed in a June 18, 2026, letter signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Senior Secondary Education, following a March 31, 2026, meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies regarding rising operational costs. Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, confirmed the official approval of the upward review.
Stakeholder Concerns and Criticism Education experts, private school proprietors, and political stakeholders have voiced strong opposition to the fee hike, warning of several potential consequences:
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Access to Education: Stakeholders warned that the increase could place significant burdens on struggling families, force children out of school, and undermine efforts to expand educational access.
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Out-of-school Crisis: Adaramoye Michael Lenin of the Education Rights Campaign argued the hike is counterproductive and will worsen the country’s out-of-school crisis by making education appear commercialized and unaffordable.
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Retention Challenges: Mrs. Dorothy Okwuenu of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (FCT chapter) stated the increase could derail policies aimed at providing 12 years of uninterrupted basic education by discouraging school retention.
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Broad Impact: Educators, including Dr. Mary Chinwuba and Rosemary Onyenagubo, expressed concerns that the hike will widen the educational opportunity gap, leaving children from low-income households behind while making formal education accessible primarily to the wealthy.
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State Government Pressures: The fee increase could force state governments that sponsor candidates to provide significantly higher budgetary allocations, creating further financial strain.
Political Response
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Atiku Abubakar: The ADC presidential candidate criticized the move as “cruel and economically insensitive,” arguing that it conflicts with the government’s constitutional responsibility to make education accessible to all children.
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Resurfaced Context: Amid the backlash, a 2001 video of then-Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu resurfaced, showing him describing his administration’s decision to pay WAEC fees for students because many parents could not afford the costs at that time.
The lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has denied allegations linking him to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Kalu made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television, where he was asked about his alleged connections with the CIA and Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
The senator explained that his previous involvement in arms trading brought him into contact with both organisations, adding that they monitored his activities because of his business dealings.
He, however, insisted that knowing individuals within the agencies did not mean he worked for them or served as an intelligence operative.
He said, “Even if I know people there, I mean, I’m not working for them. I’m not an agent. Because I was trading in arms, I must know the two organisations very well. They were keeping an eye on me because I was selling arms.”
The former Abia State governor also dismissed suggestions that prominent personalities had described him as an international agent.
According to him, such descriptions do not define his identity, insisting that he knows who he is and makes efforts to maintain his relationships.
Kalu said, “Anybody can say anything. On some occasions, even President Obasanjo himself has called me an international agent. I mean, those things don’t remove anything from my skin because I know myself. I work hard to keep friendships.”
Mossad, officially known as the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, is Israel’s national intelligence agency.
Nigerian rapper Keshinro Ololade, popularly known as Lil Kesh, has cautioned women whose physical appearance could tempt him as he tries to maintain his decision to abstain from sexual activities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The singer made this known in a video shared on his Instagram page, where he spoke about his commitment to celibacy and his efforts to remain focused.
In the video, Lil Kesh specifically addressed women who regularly visit the gym, drawing attention to their body shapes and physical features, which he admitted he finds tempting.
He appealed to such women to tone down their seductive appearances and movements around him, explaining that he was determined to maintain his celibate lifestyle.
The rapper also disclosed that he had abstained from sex for seven years.
He said, “Hello, if you know you are a gym girly and your back is looking like this, please, I’m gonna need you to tone it down. I have been celibate for 7 years; I am trying to focus; don’t konjibait me.”
In a related development, Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Isbae U, has opened up about the difficult period he experienced following the controversy surrounding him in 2022.
During an interview with Morayo Afolabi Brown, Isbae U revealed that the backlash was so severe that he began questioning whether his career had come to an end.
He explained that the situation became particularly difficult because people who had previously supported and praised his work began making negative comments about him.
The skit maker also disclosed that he sought advice from fellow content creator Mr Macaroni during the period.
According to him, he asked whether the controversy marked the end of his career, as he was uncertain about what the future held following the backlash.
Isbae U recalled that the experience taught him how quickly public perception can change when someone becomes embroiled in controversy.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to restoring petrol subsidy if elected president in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The former Vice-President made the pledge in a post shared on his X handle on Monday, alongside a campaign video outlining his position on the policy.
“My position stands! I will restore subsidy to make life easier and more affordable for Nigerians,” Atiku wrote.
The video compared petrol prices in Nigeria with those in other oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Iran and Venezuela, arguing that citizens in those nations pay significantly less for the product.
According to the video, Atiku’s proposed subsidy arrangement would apply only to petrol refined locally, excluding imported products. The policy would also remain in place until domestic refineries become self-sustaining.
Atiku was further quoted in the clip as saying, “My position has not changed and will not change. I will restore it.”
President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration speech in May 2023. His administration subsequently promised to channel the savings from the policy into infrastructure development and social services.
Atiku has made the reversal of the subsidy removal a major part of his 2027 campaign agenda. Other promises include reopening Nigeria’s land borders and addressing insecurity.
He reiterated these commitments during the ADC presidential campaign flag-off rally in Sokoto on November 4.
The former Vice-President secured the ADC presidential ticket in May, marking his seventh attempt to become Nigeria’s president.
However, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified his candidacy on November 5, alongside decisions taken by the party’s David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC has since appealed the judgment and is seeking a stay of execution.
The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.
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