FG suspends proposed N50,000 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), pending wider consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to the statement, the ministry has withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review before any final decision is taken.

The statement, signed by the ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the suspension followed concerns and feedback from members of the public.

"The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken," the statement read.

The ministry explained that the proposed review was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting national examinations, noting that registration fees have remained largely unchanged over the years despite increasing operational expenses.

According to the ministry, the growing costs cover logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain the credibility and integrity of public examinations.

It further stated that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

"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 added.

The ministry said the decision reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are thoroughly reviewed and are in the overall public interest.

It added that consultations would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents' associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other key partners before any final decision is reached.