By Warefa Pereke.
August 10, 2025.
Warri, Delta State – In Nigeria, a disturbing practice is placing an unnecessary financial strain on students and their families. After successfully completing major national examinations like the WASSCE, GCE, NECO, NCE, OND, HND, Bsc etc, students are reportedly being compelled to pay significant fees just to collect their results and certificates. This extra charge, which some claim can range from fifty to three hundred thousand Naira, is happening during a period of severe economic hardship, adding to the already heavy cost of education.
This is an unjust and unacceptable trend that has been going on for years. The fees paid to these examination bodies were understood to cover the entire process, from registration and sitting for the exams to the production and issuance of the final certificate. This new trend of a second, substantial payment to get a document that proves a student’s hard work and academic success is both unjust and counterproductive.
While a small fee for late certificate collection has been a historical practice, the current situation appears to be different. Reports suggest that these hefty fees are now being demanded even for newly released certificates, turning what should be a straightforward administrative process into a major financial barrier. This practice directly affects students’ ability to pursue further education or employment, as these certificates are crucial for university admissions and job applications.
This issue requires the immediate attention of all relevant authorities. We call on the examination bodies themselves, the regulatory committees that oversee them, and state and federal education leaders—including the Commissioners of Education and the Minister of Education to call these extortionists to order in order to sanitise the Nigerian education system.
In a country where many are grappling with financial difficulties and hunger, it is completely unacceptable to impose such a heavy financial burden on the youth. Education is a fundamental right, and the documentation that confirms it should not be held ransom.
The government and these educational institutions must work together to find a lasting solution. This includes either ensuring that the cost of certificates is fully integrated into the initial examination fees or establishing a clear, fair, and nominal fee structure that does not penalize students for their achievements.
The time to act is now. This troubling trend must be stopped to ensure that every student who has earned their certificate can collect it without facing an additional and often insurmountable financial obstacle.
