The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, NECO, pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
In a Monday statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the ministry said the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review before any final decision is taken.
The ministry, in the release signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the suspension followed concerns and feedback from members of the public.
“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Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, the fee revision was motivated by rising costs involved with holding national tests, pointing out that registration fees have remained essentially stable for several years despite rising operating costs.
It highlighted increased expenses for logistics, security, printing examination materials, technological deployment, quality assurance, and other services necessary to sustain the credibility of public examinations.
According to the announcement, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, has requested that the idea be placed on hold in accordance with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based 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,” it said.
The ministry mentioned that the decision reflects its commitment to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are carefully considered and responsive to public interest.
It also stated that consultations would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labor, education stakeholders, and other critical partners before any decision is reached.
Accordingly, the ministry mentioned that the proposed review of examination registration fees would not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process has concluded.
The Federal Ministry of Education stressed that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda and pledged to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.
FG stated that it approved N50,000 as the new examination fee for WAEC and NECO for secondary school candidates from 2027.
The former registration fee was N27,500, which means the new increment comes with an 82 percent hike.
According to a statement on June 18, 2026, issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, the approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination for candidates from 2027.
