The Federal Government has 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 (SSCE), following widespread public criticism.
The Ministry of Education announced that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders before taking a final decision.
The proposed review would have increased the registration fee from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 per candidate, representing an 82 per cent rise.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the suspension was directed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
According to the ministry, the proposal has been placed on hold to allow for a comprehensive review and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders, following concerns raised by parents, students, education stakeholders and members of the public.
The ministry acknowledged the public feedback on the proposed increase and expressed appreciation for Nigerians’ interest in issues affecting access to quality education.
It explained that the proposed fee review was necessitated by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations, including increased expenses for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance. However, it stressed that no final decision would be taken until consultations with stakeholders are concluded.