FG Approves 82% Increase in WAEC, NECO Exam Fees, Candidates to Pay 50,000 From 2027

The Federal Government has approved an 82 per cent increase in examination fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), raising the registration fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) from N27,500 to N50,000 per candidate, effective from 2027.

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The approval was contained in a June 18 circular signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, following a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees.

According to the ministry, the decision followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on March 31, 2026, where the need to review examination fees was discussed. At the meeting, the minister directed WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate Examinations.

The circular read in part: “You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need for an upward review of examination fees was discussed, the Honourable Minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE.”

It added, “Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of N50,000 only as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”

The ministry directed that the approval be communicated to all relevant stakeholders ahead of implementation.

Confirming the development on Saturday, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said the government had approved the upward review of the examination fees.

“I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he confirmed that the approval was granted,” she said.

The new fee represents an increase of N22,500 over the current registration charge of N27,500 and will take effect from the 2027 internal Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by both WAEC and NECO.