Breaking: FG suspends planned increase in WAEC, NECO registration fees
The Federal Government has officially 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.
The decision, announced on Monday, July 13, 2026, comes in direct response to intense nationwide backlash and public outcry over the financial burden the hike would place on families.
A directive from the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, ordered the immediate withdrawal of an internal letter dated June 18, 2026, which had originally authorized the fee adjustment.
The suspended proposal sought to raise the registration fees for both terminal exams from the current **₦27,500 to ₦50,000**, representing an 82% increase. The hike was slated to take effect starting with the 2027 examination cycle.
[Current Fee: ₦27,500] ➔ ➔ [Proposed Fee: ₦50,000 (SUSPENDED)]
According to a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations for the Federal Ministry of Education, the adjustment was initially considered due to harsh economic realities.
The ministry explained that registration fees have remained flat for several years despite a steep rise in the operational overhead required to run credible national exams. Key inflationary drivers cited by the government include:
* **Logistics & Security:** The escalating cost of safely transporting exam materials nationwide.
* **Production Costs:** Higher prices for printing sensitive examination papers.
* **Technology & Quality Assurance:** Rising infrastructure costs needed to deploy anti-cheating systems and manage digital grading software.
The news of the ₦50,000 price tag leaked over the weekend, triggering immediate criticism from civil society organizations, opposition leaders, and education advocates. Critics argued that doubling the cost of basic secondary school certifications would force thousands of students from low-income households to drop out, worsening Nigeria's out-of-school children crisis.
Prominent voices, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist Aisha Yesufu, openly condemned the move, stating that the state should be subsidizing—not inflating—the cost of basic education during an economic crunch.
"The Honourable Minister of Education has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking," Boriowo stated, noting that the government acknowledges the public's constructive feedback.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that the fee hike will remain frozen indefinitely. Dr. Alausa has directed examination bodies, state ministries of education, and parent-teacher associations to begin a comprehensive stakeholder review.
No adjustments to WAEC or NECO fees will be implemented until a social-impact assessment is concluded to ensure that future policies do not jeopardize access to education for vulnerable Nigerian families.
