Abuja – The Federal Government has decided to put a hold on its plan to revise the registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and the National Examinations Council (NECO), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). This pause will allow for in-depth discussions with stakeholders in the education sector.
The Federal Ministry of Education shared that the letter proposing the fee changes, which was dated June 18, 2026, has been retracted. This step is aimed at ensuring a comprehensive review of the proposal and engaging more broadly with those involved before making any final decisions.
In its statement, the Ministry recognised the concerns and valuable feedback from the public, thanking Nigerians for their active interest in issues that impact access to quality education. The Ministry explained that the need for a fee review stemmed from current economic conditions and the rising costs associated with conducting reliable national examinations.
They noted that registration fees for these exams have largely remained the same for several years, even as operational costs for administering public examinations across the country have increased.
The Ministry has pinpointed several key factors that are driving up costs, such as logistics, security, the printing of exam materials, technology implementation, quality assurance measures, and other vital services that help maintain the integrity and credibility of the examination system.
In light of these financial challenges, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has instructed that the proposal be put on hold, reflecting the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.
The Ministry emphasized that this decision showcases its dedication to ensuring that policies impacting millions of Nigerian students and their families are thoroughly assessed, socially aware, and in line with the broader interests of the nation.
As part of a renewed review process, the Ministry plans to engage in extensive discussions with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other key partners.
These consultations aim to give stakeholders a chance to delve into the financial challenges facing examination bodies while ensuring that any future changes to registration fees are fair, transparent, sustainable, and considerate of the economic realities that Nigerian households are facing.
As a result, the Ministry has made it clear that the proposed adjustments to WASSCE and NECO registration fees will not be implemented as previously communicated until the consultation process is complete and a final decision is made public.
The Federal Government is reaffirming its commitment to education, with the Ministry assuring Nigerians that the well-being of students, fair access to quality education, and thoughtful policy decisions are at the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
The Ministry also expressed gratitude to parents, students, school administrators, and other stakeholders for their understanding, patience, and ongoing support, promising to keep everyone updated throughout the consultation process.
Many stakeholders have welcomed the suspension of the proposed fee review, as there were concerns that raising examination registration fees could add extra financial strain on families already dealing with economic hardships. The government’s choice to pause the proposal for broader consultations is expected to build greater public trust and promote collaborative policymaking in the education sector.
