The proposed 82 per cent increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination has been suspended by the Federal Government, following widespread public concerns.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government said the suspension reflects its commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence based policymaking.
According to the ministry, the proposed review was prompted by rising costs associated with conducting public examinations, including increased expenses for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other operational requirements. It noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite growing financial pressures.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold pending consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
“The Honourable Minister of Education 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 said.
The ministry added that consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before any decision is reached.
It assured Nigerians that the proposed adjustment would not take effect until the consultation process is concluded, stressing that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.
The suspension comes weeks after the Federal Government approved a proposed increase in the registration fee for WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000 for candidates from 2027, representing an 82 per cent hike.
The proposal had drawn criticism from several groups, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students, who urged the government to reconsider the increase over concerns about its impact on Nigerian families.
