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 (SSCE), pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
The government had earlier proposed raising the examination registration fee from N27,500 to N50,000.
Announcing the decision in a statement issued on Monday, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, said the ministry had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review.
According to the ministry, the decision followed concerns and constructive feedback from Nigerians over the planned increase.
It explained that the proposed review was necessitated by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
The ministry, however, said the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
It noted that the suspension would enable extensive consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before any final decision is reached.
"The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” the statement said.
The ministry reaffirmed that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda under the Renewed Hope programme.
It also assured Nigerians that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process while expressing appreciation for the understanding and support of stakeholders."(Firm News)
