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) following widespread public reaction.
In a statement released on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that it had withdrawn a June 18, 2026 circular that introduced the proposed fee adjustment.
READ MORE: Gunmen abduct Oyo headmaster, demand N30m
The statement, signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said the decision was made to pave the way for a comprehensive review and wider engagement with stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
According to the ministry, the withdrawal of the earlier notice reflects the government’s commitment to a transparent and consultative decision-making process.
If implemented, the proposal would increase the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent rise.
The ministry explained that the proposed adjustment was driven by the rising cost of organising public examinations nationwide. It noted that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational expenses.
It added that inflation and growing costs associated with logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services have placed considerable financial pressure on examination bodies.
The statement further disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended pending extensive consultations.
According to the ministry, the minister’s directive aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
It stressed that no new examination fees would take effect until discussions with all relevant stakeholders have been concluded.
The planned consultations will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other key partners.
The ministry also reiterated that policies affecting students and their families would continue to undergo thorough review to ensure they serve the public interest.
Restating its commitment, the ministry said student welfare, equal access to quality education and sound policymaking remain at the heart of the Federal Government’s education agenda.
It further 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.
About The Author
