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BREAKING: FG makes u-turn, suspends proposed WAEC, NECO fee hike after public backlash
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, pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that its June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn.
According to the ministry, the suspension followed public concerns and feedback over the planned increase.
“The letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
The ministry explained that the proposed review was prompted by rising costs associated with conducting national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
It added that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry said consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before any final decision is made.
It stressed that the proposed fee review would not take effect until the consultation process is completed.
The suspension comes weeks after the Federal Government approved a proposed increase in the registration fee for WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000 for candidates from 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase.
The proposal had drawn criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders, who argued that the increase would place an additional financial burden on Nigerian families.
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