NIGERIA: FG Suspends Planned WAEC, NECO Fee Hike After Public Outcry, Orders Fresh Consultations

By Onoja Baba

The Federal Government has suspended its proposed upward review of 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 concern over the planned increase.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the ministry, the letter dated June 18, 2026, which conveyed the proposed fee adjustment, has been withdrawn to pave the way for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is taken.

The ministry said the proposed increase was informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. It noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational expenses, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services.

It, however, stated that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence based policymaking.

“The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” the ministry said.

The ministry said it had taken note of concerns and constructive feedback from Nigerians, stressing that policies affecting millions of students and their families must be carefully considered to ensure they remain socially responsive and in the collective national interest.

It added that consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before any new decision is reached.

The ministry reassured Nigerians that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.

The suspension comes barely days after reports emerged that the Federal Government had approved an increase in the registration fees for WAEC and NECO examinations from the current ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for the 2027 examination cycle, a proposal that sparked widespread criticism from parents, students, education stakeholders and opposition figures who argued that the hike would further limit access to education amid the country’s economic challenges.