FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO registration fee increase

The Federal Government has suspended the 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The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its 18 June 2026 circular proposing the fee review, pending extensive consultations with key stakeholders.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government said the decision was taken after considering public concerns and constructive feedback on the proposed increase.

The ministry explained that the planned review was prompted by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations.

According to the statement, examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing expenses for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services required to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.

However, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry said the suspension would allow for broad consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners.

It noted that the consultation process would ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, transparent, sustainable and responsive to prevailing economic realities, while safeguarding access to education.

The ministry stressed that no increase in registration fees would take effect until the consultations had been concluded and a final decision reached.

It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising students’ welfare, expanding equitable access to quality education and implementing policies that reflect the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ministry also thanked parents, students and other stakeholders for their understanding, patience and continued support, assuring them that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process.