The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the National Examination Council’s (NECO) recent decision to impose a N50,000 fee for the reprinting of certificates. This policy was announced by Dantani Wushishi, NECO’s Registrar, in a statement made in Minna, Niger State.
According to the announcement, the N50,000 fee for certificate reproduction will be subject to periodic reviews and will only apply to requests made within one year of the original certificate issuance. However, NANS has condemned this decision as both outrageous and a commercialization of education.
In a statement obtained by DAILY POST, Comrade Abdulyekinn Odunayo, the Clerk of the NANS Senate, emphasized that this fee places an unacceptable financial burden on students, particularly at a time when many are facing economic hardships.
Odunayo noted that the new policy raises serious questions about NECO’s commitment to supporting students.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) unequivocally condemns the outrageous decision by the National Examination Council (NECO) to impose a N50,000 fee for certificate reprints.
“This draconian policy is a slap in the face of Nigerian students, already beset by financial hardships and uncertainty.
“The N50,000 fee is an unacceptable burden on students, many of whom struggle to make ends meet.
He further pointed out that the N50,000 fee would exacerbate financial exclusion, preventing many students from accessing their certificates and disproportionately affecting those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This move, he argued, undermines NECO’s integrity and raises concerns about its dedication to providing education for all.
NANS also criticized the lack of transparency in NECO’s fee structure and policies, suggesting possible mismanagement of funds and inefficiencies in service delivery. The student body reiterated its commitment to advocating for affordable, accessible, and quality education for all Nigerian students.
In conclusion, NANS is calling for an immediate reversal of the N50,000 fee, a reduction to a more reasonable amount, an extension of the reprint request deadline to five years, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that student needs are prioritized in decision-making processes.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students will not stand idly while education is commercialized and students are exploited.
“We demand an immediate reversal of the N50,000 fee, a reduction of the fee to a more affordable amount (not exceeding status quo), extension of the reprint request deadline to 5 years and a stakeholder engagement to ensure student-centric decision-making,” the statement added.
