FG Suspends Planned WAEC and NECO Registration Fee Hike for 2027

The Federal Government has suspended its 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), pending further consultations with key education stakeholders.

The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that it had withdrawn its earlier communication dated June 18, 2026, regarding the proposed fee adjustment. The ministry explained that the suspension followed public concerns and feedback received after the announcement of the planned increase.

According to the ministry, the proposed review became necessary due to the rising costs of organizing credible national examinations. It noted that examination registration fees have remained relatively stable for several years despite significant increases in operational expenses.

Among the factors contributing to higher examination costs are logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance processes, and other essential services required to conduct nationwide examinations effectively.

The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposed fee review be suspended to allow for broader stakeholder engagement. The ministry stated that the move reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based decision-making on policies that affect millions of Nigerian students and their families.

As part of the review process, the ministry plans to consult extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other relevant groups before making a final decision.

The ministry emphasized that no increase in WAEC or NECO registration fees will take effect until the consultation process has been completed and all stakeholders have had the opportunity to contribute their views.

It also reassured Nigerians that protecting students’ welfare, ensuring equitable access to quality education, and implementing responsible education policies remain key priorities of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Federal Ministry of Education thanked Nigerians for their understanding and promised to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.