FG Suspends Planned WAEC, NECO Fee Increase After Public Outcry

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread concerns from parents, students and education stakeholders.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension on Monday, stating that the June 18, 2026 approval letter communicating the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn pending further consultations and a comprehensive review of the policy.

The ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said the decision was taken after the government considered the reactions and feedback generated by the proposed increase across the country.

The proposed adjustment would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO internal examinations to N50,000 per candidate from 2027, with WAEC’s fee moving from about N27,000 while NECO’s fee was expected to rise from N30,000.

The initial approval followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and heads of examination bodies on March 31, 2026, where concerns over rising costs associated with conducting national examinations were discussed.

The ministry had explained that the proposed increase was driven by the rising cost of examination logistics, security arrangements, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other operational requirements needed to maintain the credibility of public examinations.

However, the planned increase triggered criticism from students’ groups, parents and other education stakeholders who argued that the new fees would further increase the financial burden on families already struggling with economic challenges.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was among the groups that opposed the proposed hike, describing it as insensitive and calling for broader consultation before any decision affecting millions of students was implemented.

Concerns were also raised that the increase could affect students from low-income families, especially in states where governments do not fully sponsor candidates’ examination fees.

Following the backlash, Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended to allow for inclusive consultations and evidence-based review before any final decision is reached.

The ministry said it would engage with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other relevant stakeholders as part of the review process.

According to the ministry, the suspension means that the proposed N50,000 fee will not take effect until consultations are concluded and a final decision is communicated to the public.

The government assured Nigerians that access to education, students’ welfare and policies that protect families from excessive financial pressure remain priorities in its education agenda.

The development comes amid ongoing concerns over the increasing cost of education in Nigeria, with stakeholders repeatedly urging governments at all levels to introduce measures that will prevent more children from dropping out of school due to financial difficulties.

The Federal Government has promised to keep the public informed as discussions continue with relevant stakeholders before announcing a new position on WAEC and NECO examination fees.

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