FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO registration fee hike after public outcry

FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO registration fee hike after public outcry

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in WAEC and NECO 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 over the planned adjustment.

The decision was announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which said it had withdrawn its earlier letter dated June 18, 2026, proposing a review of examination registration fees.

According to the ministry, the suspension is intended to allow for wider consultations with education stakeholders before any final decision is taken, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry explained that although the proposal was driven by the rising cost of conducting credible public examinations, feedback from parents, students, school owners, labour unions and other stakeholders made it necessary to pause implementation and seek broader consensus.

It noted that the cost of organising national examinations has increased significantly in recent years due to inflation and higher operational expenses, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, supervision, transportation and other critical services required to maintain the integrity of the examinations.

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Officials said the existing registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite these mounting costs, prompting discussions on the need for a review to ensure the long-term sustainability of the examination system.

Reports had indicated that the proposed adjustment would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations to about ₦50,000 per candidate, a development that generated widespread concern among Nigerians who argued that many families are already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Responding to the public reaction, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended pending extensive consultations with critical stakeholders across the education sector.

The ministry said the decision demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully reviewed and reflect the country’s collective interest.

As part of the consultation process, the ministry will engage the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education experts and other relevant stakeholders.

The consultations are expected to produce recommendations that strike a balance between sustaining the quality and credibility of national examinations and ensuring that registration fees remain affordable for Nigerian families.

The ministry stressed that no increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees will take effect until the consultation process is completed and the Federal Government reaches a final decision.

It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting students’ welfare, expanding access to quality education and implementing reforms that support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.

The ministry also thanked Nigerians for their constructive feedback and assured the public that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process.

FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO registration fee hike after public outcry