FG Suspends Planned WAEC, NECO Exam Fee Hike 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 the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, following widespread public concerns over the planned adjustment.

Philips News reports that the Federal Ministry of Education announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday, confirming that the earlier letter communicating the proposed fee review had been withdrawn pending broader consultations with key stakeholders. The statement was signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

According to the ministry, “The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken.”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 explained that the proposed fee increase was necessitated by the growing cost of conducting national examinations. It noted that registration charges have remained largely unchanged for years despite rising expenses associated with logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other operational requirements needed to maintain the integrity of public examinations.

The statement further disclosed that the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, personally directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent and inclusive decision-making. “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 ministry stated.

The ministry added that extensive consultations would now be held with major stakeholders, including the West African Examinations Council, National Examinations Council, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before any final decision is reached. It stressed that the proposed review “will not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process is concluded.”

Meanwhile, PhilipsNews reports that before the suspension, the Federal Government had approved a new registration fee of ₦50,000 for both WAEC and NECO examinations beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase from the current ₦27,500. The approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees. However, the ministry reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain at the heart of the government’s education agenda, pledging to keep Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process.