WAEC BLAMES INFLATION FOR HIKE IN REGISTRATION FEE NOW PEGGED AT N18,000.(PHOTO).

WAEC Blames Inflation For Hike In Registration Fee Now Pegged At N18,000

The West African Examination Council, WAEC, Nigeria National Office says the conversion of naira to dollar has necessitated an upward review of fees to enable the council render its services efficiently to the Nigerian child. 

The WEAC team, led by the Chairman,  Professor Ato Essuman, during a visit to the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu, in Abuja, said it has established its first ever  Digital Printing Press for the printing of examination security materials in the Nigeria National Office.

The Chairman of WAEC explained that the building and all the external works have been completed inclduding the procurement of three machines but solicited the support of the Federal Government to procure an outstanding machine that costs $3.9 million for activities to commence at the digital printing press.

He noted that as a responsible and responsive organisation, the council is always seeking ways of improving on its service delivery to stakeholders.

Professor Essuman, said, the Nigeria National Office embarked on the establishment of a Digital Printing Press for the printing of examination security materials, which is nearing completion, but has been stalled owing to paucity of funds for the acquisition of a particular machine that is vital to the operation of the system.

He therefore sought government's intervention to enable them secure the required financial assistance for the procurement of the machine.

Professor Essuman said that in the 70 years of WAEC’s existence, Nigeria has stood out in the comity of member nations not only in the discharge of its obligations but also in the enthusiasm and promptness with which most of the obligations were discharged and appreciated the government and Nigerians for the support, cooperation, and goodwill, which the Council had received since inception in 1952 to date.

In his response, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, promised to do his best to ensure that the federal government supports the council in achieving its mandate.

The Head, of WAEC Nigeria National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, during a visit to its marking centres in Abuja, said the marginal increase in WAEC fees is because of the country’s spiral inflation hence the need for the increase to enable them render better services. 

According to him,  the examiners are happier as they've been able to increase their marking fees through the marginal increase which warrants that each student writing the examinations now has to pay N18,000 as against N13,950.