“The letter has been withdrawn” — FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO N50,000 fee increase
The Federal Government has put on hold 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 concerns.
The decision was announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which disclosed that it had withdrawn the June 18, 2026 letter notifying stakeholders of the planned fee adjustment.
According to the ministry, the withdrawal is intended to create room for broader consultations before any final decision is reached.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government said the suspension reflects its commitment to engaging relevant stakeholders and ensuring that major education policies are based on transparency and evidence.
The ministry explained that the proposal to increase examination fees was prompted by the rising cost of organising national examinations.
It noted that registration charges have remained relatively stable for several years despite significant increases in operational expenses.
According to the ministry, the cost of logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services required to conduct credible examinations has risen considerably, making a review necessary.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposal be suspended until extensive consultations are concluded.
The ministry stated that the decision demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting students, parents and schools are carefully reviewed before implementation.
It added that discussions will be held with key stakeholders, including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education experts and other relevant groups.
As a result, the proposed adjustment to WAEC and NECO registration fees will not take effect until the consultation process is completed and a final decision is announced.
The ministry reaffirmed that protecting students’ welfare, promoting equitable access to quality education and maintaining responsible policymaking remain top priorities of the Federal Government.
It also assured Nigerians that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process.
Before the suspension, the government had approved a new registration fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the WAEC and NECO senior secondary examinations from 2027, replacing the previous fee of N27,500. The proposed increase represented an 82 per cent rise.
The approval was contained in a June 18, 2026 letter signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, following a request by the West African Examinations Council for an upward review of examination fees beginning in 2027.
The proposed increase attracted criticism from several quarters, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), both of whom argued that the new fee would place an additional financial burden on many Nigerian families.
