Victoria Mbangwa
In a move that has sparked widespread controversy, the National Examination Council (NECO) announced a N50,000 fee for reprinting certificates, which has stated a backlash from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The policy, introduced on September 30, 2024, by NECO Registrar Dantani Wushishi in Minna, Niger State, limits certificate reprint requests to within one year of the original issuance and leaves the door open for future fee adjustments.
NECO stated that the fee is subject to periodic review and is part of broader efforts to modernize its services. NECO has maintained that the fee structure is necessary to ensure the sustainability of its operations, particularly as requests for reprints have grown over time. The Council also emphasized that the one-year window for reprint requests is designed to reduce the backlog of administrative tasks and improve efficiency.
While NECO has presented this fee as necessary for administrative and operational efficiency, the student body sees the policy as a direct affront to Nigerian students.
Mean while The Clerk of the Senate for NANS, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, issued a strong statement condemning the decision, stating that the fee is an undue financial burden, especially for students who are already grappling with economic challenges.
The statement reads: “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.
“This fee will exacerbate financial exclusion, denying countless students access to their rightful certificates, perpetuate inequality, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged students and undermine the integrity of NECO, casting doubt on its commitment to education for all.”
However, NANS remains adamant that NECO must reverse the decision, calling for a reduction of the fee to a more affordable level and extending the reprint request window to five years. The student body also urged for more inclusive discussions with stakeholders to ensure that policies consider the economic realities of students.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students will not stand idly while education is commercialised 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.
