The Federal Government has suspended its proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination.
The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on July 13, 2026, following public concerns and feedback from parents, students and other education stakeholders.
The ministry stated that the letter conveying the proposed adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and wider consultations before a final decision is reached.
Why the Government Proposed an Examination Fee Review
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the proposed adjustment was informed by the increasing cost of conducting credible public examinations in Nigeria.
The ministry explained that examination bodies have faced rising operational expenses, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
These expenses have placed pressure on the financial resources required to organise and conduct examinations across the country.
The proposed fee review was therefore intended to address the increasing cost of examination administration while maintaining the credibility and integrity of public examinations.
Public Concerns Over the Proposed Increase
The proposed adjustment attracted considerable public attention, particularly because of the financial challenges facing many Nigerian households.
Parents and education stakeholders expressed concerns that a significant increase in examination registration fees could make it more difficult for students from low-income families to participate in WAEC and NECO examinations.
The Federal Government acknowledged the concerns and stated that further consultations would be necessary to ensure that any future decision considers the interests of students and their families.
What the Suspension Means for Candidates
The suspension means that the proposed adjustment will not take effect pending the conclusion of the consultation process and the announcement of a final decision.
The government has indicated that it will engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents' associations, organised labour and other relevant stakeholders during the review.
Candidates and parents are therefore advised to rely on official announcements from WAEC, NECO and the Federal Ministry of Education regarding any future changes to examination registration fees.
The decision highlights the importance of balancing the rising cost of examination administration with the need to maintain access to education for Nigerian students.
Source: Federal Ministry of Education
Official