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 (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, following widespread public reactions.
The decision was announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which said the earlier communication approving the fee review has been withdrawn pending broader consultations with key stakeholders.
According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the letter dated June 18, 2026, proposing the new fees has been put on hold to allow for a comprehensive review of the policy.
The ministry explained that the suspension was prompted by concerns raised by members of the public, adding that the government remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are developed through an inclusive and transparent process.
It noted that although the proposed adjustment was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting public examinations—including increased expenses on logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology, and quality assurance—the government has decided to engage relevant stakeholders before taking a final decision.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, was said to have directed that implementation of the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and public consultation.
The ministry said discussions would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other education stakeholders to review the proposal.
It stressed that no increase in examination registration fees would take effect until the consultation process is completed and a final decision is reached.
The ministry reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policy decisions remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda, promising to keep Nigerians informed as consultations progress.
The suspension comes weeks after the ministry approved an increase in registration fees for WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the examinations from 2027,an 82 per cent increase. The approval, contained in a June 18, 2026, letter signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees.
