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 (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, pending consultations with stakeholders.
The decision was announced in a statement released on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education. The ministry said its June 18, 2026 letter proposing the fee adjustment had been withdrawn to allow for a broader review before any final decision is made.
Signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the statement explained that the suspension followed concerns and reactions from members of the public over the proposed increase.
According to the ministry, the planned review was prompted by the growing cost of organising national examinations, noting that registration fees have remained virtually unchanged for years despite rising operational expenses.
It listed increased spending on logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology, quality assurance and other essential services as factors behind the proposal.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the planned increase be suspended, stressing that the Federal Government remains committed to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry added that the decision reflects the government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting students and their families are carefully considered and aligned with the public interest.
It said consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant groups before any decision is reached.
Consequently, the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees will not take effect until the consultation process is completed.
The ministry reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the government’s education agenda, assuring Nigerians that updates would be provided as consultations progress.
The suspension comes weeks after the Federal Government approved a new registration fee of N50,000 for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase from the previous N27,500.
The approval, announced in a June 18 statement signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees.
The proposed increase had drawn criticism from several groups, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students, who urged the government to reconsider the decision over concerns about the financial burden on families.
FG Puts WAEC, NECO Registration Fee Increase On Hold
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