The Federal Government has suspended 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), following widespread public criticism.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter notifying examination bodies of the proposed fee review, pending broader consultations with key stakeholders.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said it had carefully considered the concerns and feedback expressed by Nigerians over the proposed increase.
According to the ministry, the planned review was prompted by rising costs associated with conducting credible national examinations. It noted that examination fees had remained largely unchanged for years despite increasing expenses related to logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry said the suspension would allow for extensive consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
According to the statement, the consultation process is aimed at ensuring that any future adjustment to examination fees is fair, sustainable and reflects current economic realities without limiting access to education.
The ministry stressed that the proposed increase would not take effect until the review and consultation process is completed.
It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving education under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring Nigerians that the welfare of students and equitable access to quality education remain top priorities.
The ministry thanked parents, students and other stakeholders for their understanding and support, promising to keep the public informed as discussions on the proposal continue.
