Education Ministry withdraws proposal to raise examination fees from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, saying no increase will take effect until extensive consultations with education stakeholders are completed.
By Angela Udende
ABUJA, Nigeria — July 13, 2026
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 Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following widespread public criticism and concerns over the financial burden the move would place on Nigerian families.
The decision, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, temporarily halts plans to raise examination registration fees from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, representing an 82 per cent increase.
Government officials said the suspension reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to inclusive policymaking, public engagement, and evidence-based decision-making on issues affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families.
The Ministry emphasized that no adjustment to examination fees will take effect until extensive consultations have been concluded with all relevant stakeholders.
Education Ministry Withdraws Earlier Fee Adjustment Notice
According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, the Ministry has formally withdrawn its earlier communication dated June 18, 2026, which proposed the new examination fees.
The withdrawal, the Ministry explained, is intended to create room for a comprehensive review of the proposal and allow broader engagement with stakeholders before any final decision is reached.
“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
The move comes after parents, education advocates, school proprietors, labour groups, and civil society organisations expressed concern that the proposed increase could further limit access to secondary education certification for economically disadvantaged students.
Government Cites Rising Examination Costs
While suspending the proposal, the Federal Government maintained that there are legitimate financial pressures confronting examination bodies.
According to the Ministry, the cost of organizing nationwide public examinations has increased significantly over recent years while examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged.
Officials pointed to rising expenditures associated with:
- Nationwide logistics and transportation;
- Security for examination centres;
- Printing of confidential examination materials;
- Deployment of digital technologies;
- Quality assurance and monitoring;
- Personnel costs;
- Administrative operations.
The Ministry argued that these growing operational expenses have placed increasing financial strain on examination agencies responsible for conducting millions of examinations annually.
Minister Orders Immediate Suspension Pending Consultations
The statement disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, directed that implementation of the proposed fee adjustment be suspended pending wider consultations.
According to the Ministry, the Minister’s directive aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent governance and participatory policymaking.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the Ministry stated.
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The government stressed that no decision would be taken without considering the views of all affected groups.
Wide-Ranging Stakeholder Engagement Planned
To ensure that any eventual decision reflects national consensus, the Ministry announced plans to hold consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Those expected to participate include:
- West African Examinations Council (WAEC);
- National Examinations Council (NECO);
- State Ministries of Education;
- Public and private school proprietors;
- School administrators;
- Parents’ associations;
- Organised labour;
- Education policy experts;
- Civil society organisations;
- Other relevant education stakeholders.
The consultations are expected to examine both the financial sustainability of examination bodies and the affordability of examination registration for Nigerian families.
Balancing Financial Sustainability with Educational Access
Education analysts note that the controversy surrounding the proposed fee increase highlights the delicate balance government must maintain between ensuring the financial viability of examination agencies and preserving access to education.
For many Nigerian households already facing rising living costs, inflation, and economic uncertainty, an additional ₦22,500 per candidate could significantly increase the cost of completing secondary education.
Families with multiple children preparing for WAEC and NECO examinations would likely face even greater financial pressure.
At the same time, examination bodies continue to grapple with escalating operational expenses and growing demands for improved examination security, technology integration, and service delivery.
The forthcoming consultations are therefore expected to explore possible alternatives that protect both educational quality and affordability.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Students’ Welfare
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated that student welfare remains central to the government’s education policy.
According to the Ministry, equitable access to quality education, responsible policymaking, and transparency will continue to guide decisions affecting Nigerian learners.
Officials also assured the public that Nigerians would be kept informed throughout the consultation process before any final determination is made regarding examination fees for the 2027 academic session.
The Federal Government’s decision to suspend the proposed 82 per cent increase in WAEC and NECO registration fees signals a willingness to reconsider major education policies in response to public concerns.
As consultations commence, millions of students, parents, schools, and education stakeholders will closely watch the outcome, hoping for a solution that addresses the rising cost of conducting national examinations without placing an unbearable financial burden on families.
The final decision is expected to shape access to secondary school certification and influence education financing policies in Nigeria for years to come.
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