FG Suspends Proposed ₦50,000 WAEC and NECO Exam Fee Hike After Public Pressure

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.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn the June 18 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for wider consultations before any final decision is taken.

The government had approved a uniform registration fee of N50,000 for WAEC and NECO senior secondary school examinations from 2027, up from the current N27,500.

The proposal drew criticism from parents, education stakeholders and opposition figures, who argued that the increase would make secondary school examinations less affordable for children from low-income families.

In a statement, the ministry said the proposed review was driven by the rising cost of conducting public examinations, noting that examination fees had remained largely unchanged for years despite increasing operational expenses.

It said higher costs for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance informed the proposal.

The ministry said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended to allow broader engagement with stakeholders.

“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 statement reads.

“This decision underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and reflect the collective interest of the nation.”

The ministry said it would consult examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before taking a final decision.

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

“The Federal Ministry of Education reassures Nigerians that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the education sector.”

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