The Federal Government has stepped back from its plan to increase registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, saying it will first consult more widely with education stakeholders.
The decision follows public outcry over a proposed uniform ₦50,000 fee for secondary school candidates, up from ₦27,500, an 82% increase that parents, students and advocacy groups described as harsh in the current economic climate.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension in a statement on Monday, explaining that its earlier letter on the fee review, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for fresh engagement and a comprehensive reassessment.
“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the proposed fee review was driven by rising costs of conducting national examinations, which it said have remained largely unchanged for years despite higher bills for logistics, security, printing, technology and quality assurance.
Officials argued that examination bodies need sustainable funding to maintain the credibility of public exams, but acknowledged that any change in fees must balance financial realities with the ability of families to pay.
The statement added that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has ordered the proposal to be halted in line with the Federal Government’s pledge to base decisions on evidence and broad input rather than unilateral directives.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” it said.
Government Seeks to Score Capital from the Price Reduction
The ministry said the suspension shows its concern for students’ welfare and equitable access to quality education, especially as many households continue to struggle with school-related costs.
It explained that consultations will now be held with examination bodies such as WAEC and NECO, state ministries of education, school proprietors, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other key education partners before any final position is taken.
Accordingly, the ministry confirmed that the proposed review of examination registration fees “would not take effect as earlier communicated” until the consultation process is concluded and a new directive issued.
The Federal Government had earlier approved ₦50,000 as the new examination fee for WAEC and NECO starting from the 2027 exam cycle for secondary school candidates, following a formal request from WAEC for an upward review.
The initial registration fee was ₦27,500, meaning the new figure represented an 82% hike that immediately drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students, who warned that such an increase would shut many students out of vital school-leaving examinations.
Their objections, combined with wider public feedback, now appear to have forced the government to reconsider, as the ministry has pledged to keep the public informed throughout the consultations and to ensure that the final outcome reflects both the financial needs of the examination system and the realities faced by Nigerian families.
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