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, following widespread public criticism and calls for broader consultations.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the withdrawal of its June 18, 2026 circular that communicated the planned fee review. The ministry said the proposal would remain suspended pending consultations with key stakeholders across the education sector.
According to the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the decision was taken after the government reviewed concerns raised by parents, students and other Nigerians over the possible financial impact of the increase.
The ministry explained that the proposed adjustment had been prompted by rising costs associated with conducting national examinations. It noted that examination fees had remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing expenses linked to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technological deployment and quality assurance measures.
Officials said the growing financial burden of administering credible public examinations had necessitated discussions on reviewing the fees. However, the government has now opted to reconsider the proposal through a more inclusive process.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the planned increase be suspended, stressing the need for policies affecting millions of students and families to undergo extensive scrutiny before implementation.
The ministry said the move reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency and evidence-based decision-making, particularly on issues with significant social and economic implications.
As part of the review, consultations will be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ groups, labour unions and other stakeholders in the education sector.
According to the statement, the objective of the engagement is to ensure that any future decision on examination fees balances current economic realities with the need to maintain access to education for all Nigerians.
The ministry emphasized that no increase in registration fees would take effect until the consultation process had been completed and a final decision reached.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving the education sector, the ministry said student welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It also expressed appreciation to parents, students and education stakeholders for their feedback and patience, pledging to keep the public informed as discussions continue on the future of examination fees in the country.
