The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE) following widespread public concerns.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that it had withdrawn its earlier letter dated June 18, 2026, conveying the proposed fee adjustment.
According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the withdrawal is intended to pave the way for a comprehensive review and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
The proposed adjustment would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 percent increase.
The ministry explained that the proposal was driven by the rising cost of administering public examinations, noting that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses. These costs include logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services required to conduct credible examinations nationwide.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposed increase be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry emphasized that no increase in examination fees will take effect until extensive consultations have been concluded with key stakeholders. These consultations will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other relevant partners.
Reaffirming its commitment to the education sector, the Federal Government stated that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policymaking remain at the heart of its education agenda. It also assured Nigerians that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process before any final decision is made on the proposed fee review.
