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, pending consultations with key stakeholders.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the decision in a statement on Monday, saying it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment following public concerns and feedback.
According to the ministry, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold to allow for broader consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other stakeholders before a final decision is taken.
The ministry explained that the proposed fee review was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
It assured the public that the proposed increase would not take effect until the consultation process is concluded, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
The government had earlier approved an increase in the registration fee from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for candidates sitting WAEC and NECO examinations from 2027, a decision that drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
