FG Halts Proposed WAEC and NECO Registration Fee Increase

The Federal Government has suspended the planned upward review of registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, originally scheduled to take effect in 2027. The decision follows widespread public feedback and strong opposition from various stakeholders, including students and political figures.

The Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that a previously issued directive dated June 18, 2026, which authorized a uniform N50,000 registration fee for secondary school candidates, has been officially withdrawn. This proposed adjustment represented an 82% increase from the initial N27,500 fee. While the initial approval came after examination bodies requested a fee review to combat rising operational costs, the decision faced swift resistance from groups such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and prominent political leaders, prompting the government to reconsider.

According to administrative officials, the proposed hike was driven by the increasing financial demands of conducting national public examinations, including escalating logistics, security expenses, higher costs for printing examination materials, and increased spending on technology deployment. Despite these operational pressures, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the policy be put on hold to ensure inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking that prioritizes students’ welfare and equitable access to education.

The government plans to host wide-ranging consultations before any final decision on fee adjustments is reached. Future discussions will involve national examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, and organized labor groups. The existing fee structure will remain in place until this consultation process is fully concluded and an official update is communicated to the public.