THE Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread public concerns.
In a statement released today, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular outlining the proposed fee adjustment.
The ministry explained that the decision would allow for a comprehensive review and wider consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is made.
The proposal sought to raise the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 starting in 2027, an increase of approximately 82 percent.
According to the ministry, the planned adjustment was driven by the rising cost of conducting public examinations, including increased expenses related to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other operational services.
Officials noted that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite these growing costs.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has however directed that the proposal be suspended pending extensive consultations.
The ministry emphasized that no changes to examination fees will be implemented until discussions with relevant stakeholders are completed.
These consultations will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other key partners.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive and transparent policymaking, the ministry said any policy affecting students and their families must undergo adequate scrutiny and reflect the public interest.
It added that student welfare, equal access to quality education, and responsible decision-making remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process before any final decision is reached on the proposed fee review.
