The Federal Government has put on hold 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 reactions.
The decision comes after concerns from parents, students and education stakeholders over the proposed fee adjustment, which many feared would place an additional financial burden on Nigerian families.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that it had withdrawn its earlier letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the planned fee review.
According to the ministry, the proposed increase was initially considered because of the rising cost of conducting national examinations, including expenses related to logistics, security, printing, technology and quality assurance.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended to allow for wider consultations with key stakeholders.
The ministry explained that the decision reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent and inclusive policymaking, especially on issues that directly affect millions of students and their families.
As part of the review process, the government said it will consult examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners, parents’ associations, organised labour and other stakeholders before making any final decision.
The ministry also assured Nigerians that no increase in examination registration fees will take effect until the consultation process is completed.
It added that any future decision would be designed to balance the country’s economic realities with the need to keep education affordable and accessible for all students.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to quality education, stating that students’ welfare remains a key priority under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ministry also appreciated parents, students and other stakeholders for their feedback and promised to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.
Source: Federal Ministry of Education.
