The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increment of registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, which was slated to take effect in 2027.
The suspension, announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, follows widespread public outcry and opposition from key stakeholders, including student bodies and political leaders.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry confirmed that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been officially withdrawn. This move is to allow for comprehensive consultations before any final decision is made.
“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Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.
### **The 82% Proposed Increment**
The suspension halts a proposed 82 percent hike that would have seen registration fees jump from N27,500 to N50,000 for secondary school candidates nationwide starting from 2027.
The initial approval for the upward review, signed on June 18, 2026, by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, was in response to a request by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust fees to meet current economic realities.
According to the ministry, the proposed hike was driven by the escalating costs of conducting national examinations. The government noted that registration fees had remained unchanged for several years despite a sharp rise in inflation and operational expenses.
Specifically, the ministry cited the rising costs of logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, and quality assurance measures necessary to maintain the integrity of the examinations.
### **Minister Orders Halt**
However, following backlash from the public, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, directed that the proposal be put on hold. The ministry stated that the decision aligns with the administration’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.
“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,” the statement added.
Prior to the suspension, prominent figures and groups had strongly condemned the uniform N50,000 fee. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) were among those who kicked against the increment, warning that it would place an unbearable financial burden on struggling parents and increase the number of out-of-school youths.
### **Next Steps: Stakeholder Consultations**
The Ministry of Education maintained that students’ welfare and equitable access to quality education remain central to the government’s agenda.
To resolve the issue, the ministry plans to host extensive consultations with critical partners, including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organized labor, and education stakeholders.
The government assured the public that the proposed fees would not be implemented until the consultation process is concluded and a consensus that prioritizes the public interest is reached.
