FG approves 82% hike in WAEC, NECO fees, fixes N50,000 charge 

The federal government has approved an increase in registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), raising the cost of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to N50,000 per candidate, effective from 2027.

The new fee, which replaces the current N27,500 charge, represents an 82 per cent increase and will apply to candidates sitting the internal SSCE conducted by both examination bodies.

The approval was conveyed in a statement dated June 18 and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, the director of senior secondary education in the federal ministry of education.

According to the ministry, the decision followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees and deliberations at a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies held on March 31, 2026.

The ministry said the meeting resolved that both WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform examination fee.

“You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education on 31 March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the Honourable Minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.

It added, “Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”

The ministry directed that the approval be communicated to all relevant stakeholders to facilitate implementation ahead of the 2027 examination cycle.

Confirming the development, Folasade Boriowo, the director of press and public relations at the ministry of education, said the approval had been granted after due consideration.

“I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he said the approval was done,” she said.