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 criticism.
The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, July 13, 2026, with the ministry confirming that it had withdrawn its earlier directive dated June 18, 2026, which approved the proposed adjustment in examination registration fees.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government said the suspension would allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
The ministry explained that the decision followed concerns and constructive feedback from parents, students, teachers, education stakeholders and members of the public over the impact the proposed increase could have on access to quality education.
The proposed review had sought to harmonise the registration fees for WAEC and NECO school candidates at ₦50,000beginning with the 2027 examination cycle, up from the current fees of about ₦27,000 for WAEC and ₦30,000 for NECO.
The planned increase attracted widespread opposition from parents, teachers, labour groups and civil society organisations, who argued that the new fee would place an additional financial burden on families already struggling with rising living costs.
According to the ministry, suspending the proposal does not mean the government has abandoned efforts to improve the conduct of public examinations but is intended to ensure that any future decision is reached after proper engagement with all affected stakeholders.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to making quality education accessible while ensuring that national examination bodies remain effective and sustainable. It added that a final decision on the proposed fee review would only be taken after the ongoing consultations and review process are concluded.