By Boluwatife Oshadiya | July 13, 2026
Key Points
- Federal Government suspends the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees for 2027
- Education Ministry withdraws June 18 circular to allow wider consultations with stakeholders
- Existing examination fees remain in place until a final decision is reached
Main Story
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), following widespread public criticism and calls for broader stakeholder engagement.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular proposing the fee adjustment, stating that the decision was necessary to allow for a comprehensive review and consultations before any new fee regime is introduced.
The proposed adjustment would have raised the registration fee for both examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, representing an increase of approximately 82 per cent.
According to the ministry, the proposed review was prompted by rising operational costs associated with conducting national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other administrative expenses.
However, the ministry said the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, had directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
“The letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the Federal Ministry of Education said in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.
The ministry added that the existing examination registration fees would remain in effect until consultations with key stakeholders—including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders—are concluded.
The Issues
The proposed fee increase reignited concerns over the rising cost of secondary education in Nigeria, particularly as households continue to grapple with persistent inflation and declining purchasing power. While examination bodies have argued that higher operational costs make a fee review inevitable, education advocates warn that significant increases could further limit access to education for students from low-income families.
The suspension also underscores the Federal Government’s increasing emphasis on stakeholder engagement before implementing policies with broad social and economic implications.
What’s Being Said
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the Ministry stated.
The decision follows strong opposition from stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), both of whom criticised the proposed increase, arguing that it would place additional financial pressure on Nigerian families already facing rising living costs.
What’s Next
- The Ministry of Education will begin consultations with examination bodies, education authorities, school proprietors, parents and organised labour before reaching a final decision.
- The proposed review of WAEC and NECO registration fees will remain suspended until the consultation process is completed.
- The Federal Government is expected to communicate any revised fee structure only after stakeholder engagements and policy review are concluded.
Bottom Line
The Bottom Line: The suspension represents a significant policy reversal by the Federal Government and reflects the growing importance of public consultation in education policymaking. While rising examination costs remain a legitimate concern, any future fee adjustment is likely to face intense scrutiny unless accompanied by clear justification and measures to protect students from additional financial hardship.
