Students Get Relief As FG Suspends WAEC, NECO Fee Hike

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, following widespread public concerns.

According to Ireporter Online, the decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

The ministry explained that the earlier letter announcing the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is made.

The statement noted that the suspension was prompted by feedback received from members of the public, as the government seeks to ensure that any policy affecting students and parents reflects broad consensus.

While explaining the rationale behind the proposed adjustment, the ministry stated that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite a steady rise in the cost of conducting national examinations. It highlighted increasing expenses related to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services required to maintain the integrity of public examinations.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, was said to have directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry further disclosed that consultations would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other critical partners before any decision is reached.

It stressed that the proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect until the consultation process has been completed and a final resolution is made.

Reaffirming its commitment to the education sector, the Federal Ministry of Education stated that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policymaking remain at the core of the government’s agenda. It also assured Nigerians that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process.

Before the suspension, the proposed registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations for secondary school candidates had been set at ₦27,500.