The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase 2027 WASSCE and NECO registration fees, promising wider consultations before any decision.
The Federal Government has suspended 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 concern over the planned adjustment.
The decision, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, marks a temporary halt to what officials described as a policy intended to address the growing cost of administering national examinations.
However, after reactions from parents, students, education stakeholders and other Nigerians, the government has opted to withdraw the proposal and begin fresh consultations before taking any final decision.
The development was made public in a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the ministry has officially withdrawn the earlier communication conveying the proposed fee review, which was dated June 18, 2026.
Officials explained that the withdrawal does not necessarily signal the end of discussions on examination fees but rather creates room for broader engagement with those who would be directly affected by the policy.
The ministry maintained that the proposal was initially introduced because of the rising financial demands associated with conducting large-scale public examinations across the country.
It noted that the cost of organising credible examinations has increased considerably over the years, while registration fees have remained largely unchanged for a long period.
According to the ministry, several operational expenses have risen significantly in recent years.
These include the production and printing of examination materials, transportation and logistics, security arrangements, deployment of technology, monitoring of examination centres, quality assurance activities and other administrative costs required to ensure the integrity of national examinations.
Despite these financial pressures, the government acknowledged the concerns expressed by members of the public, many of whom argued that increasing examination registration fees at a time of economic hardship would place additional pressure on families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
The ministry stated that public feedback played a major role in the government’s decision to suspend the proposal.
It stressed that education policies affecting millions of Nigerian students should be developed through inclusive consultations and supported by evidence rather than being implemented without sufficient engagement.
As part of the new approach, the Ministry of Education said it would begin extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders before reaching any conclusion on whether examination fees should eventually be adjusted.
Those expected to participate in the discussions include examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education experts, civil society organisations and other critical partners within the education sector.
The ministry expressed confidence that engaging these groups would help produce a balanced outcome that considers both the financial realities of conducting national examinations and the economic challenges facing Nigerian households.
It further disclosed that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended pending the outcome of the consultation process.
According to the statement, the minister believes that policies affecting millions of candidates and their families deserve careful consideration to ensure they reflect the collective interest of the nation.
The ministry added that government remains committed to making quality education accessible while also maintaining the credibility and sustainability of national examinations.
Education stakeholders have often pointed out that examination bodies face increasing operational costs due to inflation, technological upgrades, security requirements and expanding candidate populations.
At the same time, many parents continue to advocate for affordable education, arguing that examination fees should remain within the reach of ordinary families.
The latest decision by the Federal Government appears aimed at striking a balance between these competing concerns.
By pausing the proposal, authorities hope to build wider consensus before introducing any policy that could have significant financial implications for students and their parents.
The ministry also reassured Nigerians that no new examination registration fees would be introduced until consultations have been concluded and all relevant recommendations have been carefully reviewed.
For candidates preparing for the 2027 WASSCE and NECO examinations, the announcement provides temporary relief, as the existing registration fee structure remains in place for now.
Any future review, the ministry said, will only be implemented after transparent discussions with stakeholders and after government is satisfied that the decision serves the broader public interest.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education system through policies that are transparent, inclusive and responsive to both economic realities and the welfare of students.
It assured parents, schools and candidates that every decision regarding examination fees would be guided by fairness, sustainability and the long-term development of the country’s education sector.
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