Federal Government Suspends Proposed Increase in WAEC and NECO Registration Fees 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 Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following widespread public reactions and concerns over the planned adjustment.

The announcement was made on Monday through a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, confirming that the earlier proposal to increase examination fees has been put on hold pending a comprehensive review and consultations with key stakeholders.

According to the ministry, a letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed fee adjustment, has been officially withdrawn. The decision is intended to create room for broader engagement with stakeholders before any final decision is reached.

The proposed review would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 starting from 2027, representing an 82 percent rise. The announcement sparked concerns among parents, students, school owners, and education advocates, many of whom argued that the increase would place an additional financial burden on Nigerian families already facing economic challenges.

Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, the Ministry of Education stated that the cost of organizing nationwide public examinations has risen significantly over the years, while examination fees have remained largely unchanged. It noted that expenses associated with logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology infrastructure, quality assurance, and other essential operational services have continued to increase, creating financial pressure on examination bodies.

Despite these challenges, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that implementation of the proposed fee increase be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry emphasized that no changes to WAEC or NECO registration fees will take effect until extensive consultations have been completed. It disclosed that discussions will involve major stakeholders across the education sector, including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labour, education experts, and other relevant partners.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are carefully evaluated and reflect the interests of the wider public. According to the ministry, protecting students’ welfare, promoting equitable access to quality education, and implementing responsible education policies remain key priorities of the current administration.

The ministry assured Nigerians that the consultation process will be transparent and that the public will be kept informed before any final decision is taken on the proposed review of examination registration fees.

For now, students preparing for the 2027 WAEC and NECO examinations can expect the proposed fee increase to remain suspended until the government concludes its consultations and announces its final position.