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 (SSCE), following widespread public concerns over the planned adjustment.
The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo. According to the ministry, the June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with relevant stakeholders before any final decision is made.
The ministry explained that the proposed fee review was driven by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country. It noted that registration fees for WAEC and NECO have remained largely unchanged for years despite increasing expenses associated with logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other operational requirements necessary to maintain the credibility of national examinations.
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However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that implementation of the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking. The ministry stressed that no increase in examination fees will take effect until consultations with stakeholders have been concluded.
As part of the consultation process, the Federal Government said it will engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other education stakeholders to ensure that any future decision reflects the interests of students and the realities of the education sector.
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The suspension has been welcomed by many parents, students and education advocates who had expressed concerns that the proposed increase could make examination registration more difficult for candidates, particularly those from low-income families. The government reiterated its commitment to protecting students’ welfare while ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s public examination system.
The Ministry of Education assured Nigerians that updates on the proposed fee review will be communicated after consultations with stakeholders are completed, urging the public to rely on official government channels for accurate information.
