Nigerian Government Addresses School Security, WAEC Fee Proposal, PFIPC Investigation

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, says the federal government will take steps to strengthen security in schools following growing concerns over attacks on educational institutions.

Speaking on Nigeria Info Port Harcourt's Morning Crossfire, Ajayi said measures would be put in place to better protect schools.

He also confirmed that the rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may reunite with their families today. 

On the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees, Ajayi said the rising cost of conducting examinations and other operational expenses is behind the planned adjustment.

He said requests for a fee review had been pending for more than three to four years, adding that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) must have presented compelling justifications for the proposal.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Ajayi dismissed calls for the resignation of the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as premature and unfounded, arguing that it would be inappropriate to penalise someone who reported alleged wrongdoing.

 "No controversy is good for any government," he said.

"However, allegations are allegations; the fact that someone alleged doesn't mean that he is guilty.

"Femi was the victim of a criminal activity. He was the one that reported it. He was the whistleblower. I think it is ridiculous for people to say that he should resign," Ajayi asserted.

He also said the council's disputed Director-General could not have operated within the system without the support of internal collaborators. 

"The fact of this matter is that he couldn't have been able to go that deep into the system without some internal commission or collaborator," he said.

While acknowledging that the controversy is not beneficial to the administration, Ajayi said the government remains committed to uncovering the truth.

He added that President Bola Tinubu has already ordered a full investigation and that the government will allow the investigative process to run its course before drawing conclusions or taking further action.