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 (SSCE), putting the plan on hold pending wider consultations with key stakeholders.
The decision follows public concerns over the proposed adjustment and underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students are carefully reviewed before implementation.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, the letter dated June 18, 2026, which proposed the review of examination registration fees, has been officially withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive reassessment of the proposal and extensive engagement with stakeholders across the education sector.
The ministry said the move reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking. It acknowledged the concerns and constructive feedback expressed by Nigerians following the announcement of the proposed fee increase, noting that public participation remains an important part of shaping education policies with far-reaching implications.
According to the statement, the proposed adjustment was informed by prevailing economic realities and the increasing cost of administering credible national examinations across the country. The ministry explained that registration fees for both WASSCE and NECO examinations have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational expenses.
It noted that the cost of conducting national examinations has risen considerably due to higher spending on logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance processes and other essential services required to preserve the credibility and integrity of public examinations nationwide.
Despite these challenges, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended pending further consultations. The ministry said the decision demonstrates the government’s resolve to ensure that any policy affecting students, parents and schools is socially responsive and reflects the collective interest of Nigerians.
As part of the review process, the ministry said it will engage extensively with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before arriving at a final decision.
The ministry emphasised that the consultations are intended to ensure that any future review of examination registration fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to current economic realities while protecting access to quality education for all Nigerian students.
It also clarified that the proposed increase in examination registration fees will not take effect as previously communicated until the consultation process has been completed and a final decision is reached. This means candidates preparing for the 2027 WASSCE and NECO examinations will not be affected by the suspended proposal at this stage.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s position, the ministry said the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
It added that Nigerians will continue to be kept informed throughout the consultation process while appreciating the patience, understanding and continued support of stakeholders as the review progresses.
