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 criticism from parents, education stakeholders, and the general public.
The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that the earlier letter dated June 18, 2026, proposing the fee adjustment has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is made.
According to the ministry, the proposed increase was prompted by the rising cost of conducting national examinations, including expenses related to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, and quality assurance. However, officials acknowledged that the proposal generated significant public concern over its potential impact on millions of Nigerian students and their families.
Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa directed that the planned fee review be placed on hold, stressing that any policy affecting access to education must be guided by transparency, public participation, and evidence-based decision-making. The ministry also clarified that no increase in WAEC or NECO registration fees will take effect until consultations with stakeholders have been concluded.
As part of the review process, the Federal Government said it will engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other education stakeholders to determine a fair and sustainable approach to examination funding.
The proposed fee adjustment, which had reportedly sought to raise the registration cost from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000beginning in 2027, sparked widespread backlash, with many Nigerians warning that the increase would further limit access to secondary education amid the country’s current economic challenges.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ interests, maintaining equitable access to quality education, and ensuring that future policy decisions are made only after extensive consultation with all affected parties.
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