The Federal Government has suspended its planned 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) after widespread public concerns over the proposal.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, confirming that the proposal would no longer proceed until extensive consultations with stakeholders have been completed.
According to the ministry, a letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed examination fee adjustment, has now been officially withdrawn.
The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, explained that the withdrawal would pave the way for a comprehensive review of the proposal before any final decision is taken.
“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Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.
Under the now-suspended proposal, the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations would have increased from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent rise.
The ministry explained that the proposed review was driven by the rising cost of organising nationwide public examinations, noting that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses.
According to the ministry, costs associated with logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services have continued to place significant financial pressure on examination bodies.
However, the Ministry said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that implementation of the proposal be suspended pending wider 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 statement said.
The ministry emphasised that no increase in examination registration fees will take effect until consultations with relevant stakeholders have been concluded.
It disclosed that the consultation process will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other key partners.
According to the ministry, the review is intended to ensure that any policy affecting students, parents and schools reflects public interest and receives adequate scrutiny before implementation.
Reaffirming its commitment to the education sector, the Federal Government stated that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to its educational objectives.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process before any final decision is reached on the proposed review of WAEC and NECO examination fees.
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