By Queen Madaki
The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of 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 concern over the planned increase.
The decision means that no adjustment to examination registration fees will take effect until extensive consultations are held with key stakeholders in the education sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the development in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the ministry, a letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed increase in examination fees, has been formally withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal.
“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
Proposed Fee Increase Put on Hold
The proposed adjustment would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an increase of approximately 82 per cent.
According to the ministry, the proposal was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across Nigeria.
It explained that examination fees have remained relatively unchanged for several years despite increasing operational costs associated with logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services.
Minister Directs Wider Consultations
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that implementation of the proposed fee review be suspended pending broader consultations.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, 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 ministry stated.
The ministry stressed that no new examination registration fees will be introduced until consultations with stakeholders are concluded.
Stakeholders to Participate in Review
According to the ministry, the consultation process will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners.
The government said the engagement is intended to ensure that any future decision reflects the interests of students, parents, schools and examination bodies while maintaining the sustainability of public examinations.
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Affordable Education
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process before any final decision is reached on the proposed examination fee review.
The suspension comes as relief to many parents and students who had expressed concerns over the proposed increase amid prevailing economic challenges in the country.
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