FG suspends proposed WASSCE, NECO fee review
WAEC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the suspension of a proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In a statement signed on Monday by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, the ministry said the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn “to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken.”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 ministry acknowledged public concerns and thanked Nigerians for their “keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education.”
It said the review had been motivated by “the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations,” noting that current registration fees “have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services required to maintain the integrity and credibility of public examinations across the country.”
Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, 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 statement added.
The ministry said the decision “underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and reflect the collective interest of the nation.”
As part of the fresh review, the ministry will “engage extensively with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education.”
The statement concluded that the proposed fee review “will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” and reassured Nigerians that “the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, for the education sector.”
The ministry also “appreciates the understanding, patience and continued support of all stakeholders and remains committed to keeping the public fully informed throughout the consultation process.”
