FG Suspends Proposed 80% Hike in WAEC, NECO Registration Fees

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, following public outcry over the planned review.

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The Federal Ministry of Education disclosed on Monday that the decision was approved by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, to allow for wider consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is reached.

In a statement issued by the ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn pending a comprehensive review.

According to the statement, the suspension followed concerns raised by members of the public over the proposed increase, with the government reaffirming its commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry explained that the proposed review was informed by the rising cost of organising national examinations, noting that registration fees had remained largely unchanged for years despite increasing expenses on logistics, security, printing, technology, quality assurance and other essential services.

It added that consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, school administrators, parents' associations, organised labour and other stakeholders before a final decision is taken.

The ministry stressed that the proposed fee adjustment would not take effect until the consultation process had been concluded, assuring Nigerians that students' welfare, equitable access to education and responsible policy decisions remain central to the Federal Government's education agenda.

The government had earlier approved a new registration fee of N50,000 for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase from the current N27,500. The proposal, which followed a request by WAEC for a review of examination fees, attracted widespread criticism, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students among those who opposed the planned hike.