‘No Child Will Pay WAEC or NECO Fees Under My Government’ — Sowore Unveils 20-Point Education Plan for 2027
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential hopeful Omoyele Sowore has unveiled a 20-point education blueprint, promising free education at all levels and the abolition of WAEC, NECO and other public examination fees if elected president in 2027.
The proposal comes amid public debate over the Federal Government’s approval of a new ₦50,000 registration fee for WAEC and NECO examinations beginning in 2027.
In a statement released alongside a series of illustrated policy cards, Sowore said no Nigerian child would be required to pay for public examinations under his administration.
“Education will be free because knowledge is a right, not a privilege,” he said.
According to Sowore, his education policy aims to provide free, high-quality education from early childhood through university while expanding access to technology, improving learning facilities and strengthening support for teachers and students.
Among the proposals are free education at every level, semester grants for students in public tertiary institutions, universal early childhood education, and a restructuring of the education system.
The plan also includes digital classrooms, artificial intelligence and coding education, community colleges in every local government area, expanded technical and vocational training, and reforms for polytechnics.
Sowore further proposed better salaries and improved welfare for teachers, greater university autonomy, protection of student unionism, increased funding for research and innovation, upgraded school infrastructure, school feeding programmes and stronger support for students with disabilities.
He said the goal is to ensure that no child’s educational opportunities are determined by poverty.
“This is not a promise of politics. It is a revolutionary commitment to build a nation where no child’s future is determined by poverty,” he stated.
The AAC candidate encouraged Nigerians to study the proposals, debate them and support what he described as a vision for transforming the country’s education sector.
His announcement is expected to fuel discussions on education financing, particularly following concerns raised by parents and education stakeholders over the planned increase in examination fees.
While Sowore’s proposals outline what he says his administration would pursue if elected, they remain campaign promises that would require electoral victory, legislative support and government implementation before they could become policy.
Highlights of Sowore’s 20-Point Education Plan
- Free education from nursery to university.
- No WAEC, NECO or other public examination fees.
- Semester grants for public tertiary institution students.
- Better salaries and welfare for teachers.
- AI, coding and digital education in schools.
- Community colleges in every local government area.
- Expansion of technical and vocational education.
- Greater university autonomy and protection of student unionism.
- Increased investment in research, innovation and school infrastructure.
- Inclusive education and improved student welfare programmes.
