The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase the registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, citing the need for broader consultations with key stakeholders.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday, July 13, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, the circular dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed fee adjustment, has been withdrawn pending a comprehensive review of the proposal.
It explained that the suspension followed widespread public reactions and concerns over the planned increase, adding that no final decision would be taken until consultations with relevant stakeholders are concluded.
The ministry stated that the proposed review was necessitated by the increasing cost of organising national examinations, noting that registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite rising operational expenses.
It identified logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services as some of the factors driving the proposed adjustment.
The statement added that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry said discussions would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before any decision is reached.
It stressed that the proposed review would not take effect until the consultation process has been completed.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality education, the ministry said students’ welfare, equitable access to education and responsible policymaking would remain central to all decisions affecting the sector.
The proposed fee adjustment had sought to raise the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations from the current ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for candidates from 2027, representing an increase of about 82 per cent.
The proposal attracted criticism from several groups and prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who urged the Federal Government to reconsider the planned increase in view of the country’s current economic challenges.
