FG Suspends NECO Registration Fee Increase of ₦50,000 WAEC – THIS UPDATE

By Victor Osula, Abuja

The federal government has succumbed to widespread condemnation of its 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). He announced a suspension.

The decision, announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, effectively halts the planned fee review pending fresh consultations with education stakeholders, following widespread public concern over the proposed increase.

Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, of the ministry, said the letter dated 18 June 2026, notifying the proposed adjustment of tariffs, had been withdrawn to pave the way for a comprehensive review before any final decision is taken.

The development marks a reversal of the government’s previous stance, whereby WAEC and NECO registration fees for school candidates were to be harmonized to ₦50,000 from the 2027 examination cycle. The proposed increase would have increased WAEC’s registration fee by around ₦27,500 and that of NECO by ₦30,000.

According to the ministry, the suspension followed concerns and constructive feedback from Nigerians after details of the proposed increase became public.

“The Ministry recognizes the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in issues relating to access to quality education,” the statement read.

The ministry explained that the proposed upward revision was influenced by the prevailing economic realities and rising costs of holding credible national exams across the country.

He noted that exam registration fees have remained essentially unchanged for several years, despite sharp increases in the costs of logistics, security, printing of exam materials, technology implementation, quality assurance and other services needed to maintain the integrity of public exams.

The statement, however, said the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, ordered the proposal to be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based decision-making.

“However, the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based decision-making,” it said.

The ministry said the decision underlines its determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully considered and reflect the collective interest of Nigerians.

As part of the review process, the ministry said it will hold extensive consultations with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labor and other stakeholders in the education sector.

The consultations are expected to produce a framework that is fair, transparent, financially sustainable and responsive to prevailing economic conditions, whilst ensuring that access to secondary education examinations is not compromised.

“Consequently, the proposed revision of exam registration fees will not take effect, as previously communicated, until the conclusion of the consultation process,” the Ministry said.

The Federal Ministry of Education has also reiterated that student well-being, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for the education sector.

The ministry thanked parents, students, school owners and other stakeholders for their understanding and support, assuring Nigerians that the public will be kept informed throughout the consultation process.

The suspension comes amid concerns that the proposed increase could place an additional financial burden on millions of families and state governments that sponsor exam candidates. Several states currently pay WAEC registration fees for public secondary school students, while parents in many parts of the country bear the cost of NECO registration. Education stakeholders had warned that the implementation of the new fee could increase the number of candidates unable to register for exams due to financial constraints, prompting the government to reconsider the proposal.

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