The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced strong opposition to the National Examination Council’s (NECO) decision to impose a ₦50,000 fee for the reprinting of certificates. The new policy, announced by NECO on September 30, 2024, was disclosed in a statement by the council’s Registrar, Dantani Wushishi, in Minna, Niger State.
According to NECO, the ₦50,000 fee for certificate reprints will be subject to periodic review, and requests for reprints will only be approved within one year of the original certificate’s issuance.
Reacting to the policy, NANS Clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, condemned the fee, describing it as an outrageous move and a blatant commercialization of education. In a statement, Odunayo expressed that the fee places an undue burden on students, especially at a time when many are struggling with severe economic challenges.
“The current economic hardship is already taking a toll on Nigerian students,” Odunayo said, adding that NECO’s policy raises concerns about the council’s commitment to ensuring education remains accessible.
The statement reads:
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) unequivocally condemns the outrageous decision by the National Examination Council (NECO) to impose a ₦50,000 fee for certificate reprints.
“This draconian policy is a slap in the face of Nigerian students, already beset by financial hardships and uncertainty.
“The ₦50,000 fee is an unacceptable burden on students, many of whom struggle to make ends meet. This fee will exacerbate financial exclusion, deny countless students access to their rightful certificates, perpetuate inequality, and disproportionately affect disadvantaged students. Furthermore, it undermines the integrity of NECO, casting doubt on its commitment to education for all.”
NANS further criticized NECO’s fee structure and policy, pointing out a lack of transparency and raising concerns over the possible mismanagement of funds and inefficient service delivery.
Reaffirming its stance on affordable and accessible education, NANS demanded an immediate reversal of the policy. The student body called for the fee to be reduced to a more affordable amount, not exceeding the current fee, an extension of the reprint request window to five years, and the involvement of stakeholders to ensure decisions are made with students’ interests in mind.
“NANS will not stand idly by while education is commercialized and students are exploited,” the statement concluded.
