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 backlash and concerns from education stakeholders.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, who said the government had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular conveying the proposed fee adjustment pending extensive consultations.
According to the statement, the suspension followed growing reactions from Nigerians, with the Ministry acknowledging the concerns and constructive feedback expressed by parents, students and other stakeholders.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter communicating the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 WASSCE and NECO SSCE pending a comprehensive review of the policy,” the statement said.
The Ministry explained that the proposed increase had been informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
It noted that examination registration fees had remained largely unchanged for years despite increasing operational expenses, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, deployment of technology and quality assurance measures required to maintain the integrity of public examinations.
However, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
According to the Ministry, the decision reflects the government’s resolve to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are subjected to broad consultation before implementation.
“As part of the fresh review process, the Ministry will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners,” the statement added.
The Ministry said the consultations would ensure that any future decision on examination fees is “fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing economic realities while protecting access to education.”
It stressed that the proposed fee increase would not take effect until the consultation process is concluded and a final decision is reached.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, 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.
The Ministry also thanked parents, students and other stakeholders for their patience, understanding and continued support, assuring Nigerians that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process.
