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 concerns.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government announced the withdrawal of its June 18, 2026 letter that proposed raising the examination fees from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000.

The ministry said the decision was taken to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal and broader consultations with relevant stakeholders before any final decision is reached.

“The letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the ministry stated.

According to the ministry, the proposed increase was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting public examinations, including expenses related to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.

Education Minister’s direction on implementation

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

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, 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 stressed that no adjustment to WAEC and NECO registration fees will take effect until consultations are concluded.

It noted that discussions will involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other key education stakeholders.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ welfare, ensuring equitable access to quality education and keeping Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process before any decision is made on the proposed fee review.