‎FG Suspends Planned 82% Hike in WAEC, NECO Registration Fees

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), pending broader consultations with key stakeholders.
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‎The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

‎According to the ministry, the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review before any final decision is reached.

‎The ministry said the suspension followed widespread public reactions and feedback over the planned increase.

‎”The letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.

‎The ministry explained that the proposed review was prompted by rising costs associated with conducting national examinations, noting that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses.

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‎It identified escalating costs in logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other critical services as factors necessitating the proposed adjustment.

‎Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

‎”The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the statement added.

‎The ministry said consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners before any decision is taken.

It stressed that the proposed fee review would not take effect until the consultation process is concluded.

The ministry also reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda, pledging to keep the public informed throughout the review process.

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‎The suspension comes weeks after the Federal Government approved a proposed increase in the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027—an 82 per cent increase—following a request by WAEC for an upward review.

The proposed hike had attracted widespread criticism from stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who urged the government to reconsider the increase over concerns about its impact on students and parents.