JUST IN: FG suspends proposed WAEC, NECO fees hike

The Federal Government has suspended the 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).

The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, said the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn to allow for wider consultations and a comprehensive review.

The Ministry said the decision followed concerns and feedback from members of the public and other education stakeholders over the proposed increase.

Boriowo explained that the initial proposal was driven by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations, noting that examination fees had remained largely unchanged for several years despite increases in operational expenses.

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According to the Ministry, the rising costs include logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain the credibility and integrity of public examinations.

The statement added that the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has, however, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

The Ministry stated that the fresh review process would involve consultations with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other critical stakeholders.

It added that any future decision on examination fees would be fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing realities while ensuring that students’ access to education was not compromised.

“Accordingly, the proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” the statement said.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.