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 criticism.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the decision on Monday, saying it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular that communicated the proposed fee review.
The ministry said the suspension would allow for broader consultations before any final decision is taken.
The planned adjustment became public over the weekend after a ministry memo revealed that the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO school candidates would rise to a uniform ₦50,000 from 2027.
The proposal followed a directive issued during a meeting of examination bodies with the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the government agreed that both examinations should adopt the same registration fee.
Under the proposal, WAEC’s fee would increase from about ₦27,000, while NECO’s would rise from ₦30,000.
The announcement triggered strong reactions from parents, education stakeholders and civil society groups, many of whom argued that the increase would place an additional financial burden on families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government said it had taken note of the concerns expressed by Nigerians.
“The Ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the proposed review was informed by increasing costs associated with conducting credible public examinations.
It explained that registration fees had remained largely unchanged for years despite rising expenses for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain the integrity of the examinations.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, subsequently directed that the proposal be put on hold, describing the move as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
“As part of the fresh review process, the Ministry will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners,” the statement added.
The ministry said the consultations are intended to ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable and responsive to prevailing economic realities without limiting students’ access to education.
It also stressed that the proposed fee increase would not take effect until the consultation process is completed and a final decision is reached.
Reassuring parents and students, the ministry said promoting equitable access to quality education and adopting responsible policies remain key priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
It also thanked Nigerians for their patience and promised to keep the public informed as consultations progress.