The Federal Government has put the brakes on its controversial plan to increase registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), following widespread criticism from students, parents, education stakeholders and political figures.
The decision comes just weeks after the Ministry of Education announced a new uniform examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the 2027 Senior School Certificate Examinations, a proposal that would have raised the cost from the current N27,500—an increase of about 82 per cent.
With concerns mounting over the financial burden on Nigerian families, the ministry has now suspended the proposal, saying no final decision will be made until extensive consultations are held with key stakeholders.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the official letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed fee adjustment, has been withdrawn pending a comprehensive review.
The ministry explained that the suspension followed feedback received from members of the public and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to making education policies through an inclusive and transparent process.
The statement noted that Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa directed that the proposal be placed on hold to allow broader engagement before any changes are implemented.
Officials stressed that the review of examination fees was initially considered due to the rising cost of administering national examinations. According to the ministry, examination registration fees have remained relatively stable for years despite significant increases in operational expenses.
Among the rising costs cited were logistics, security, printing examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance processes and other essential services required to preserve the integrity and credibility of public examinations across the country.
While acknowledging these financial pressures, the ministry said any decision that directly affects millions of students and their families must be carefully evaluated through consultation rather than implemented unilaterally.
As part of the review process, the Federal Government said it will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including WAEC and NECO officials, state ministries of education, public and private school administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education experts and other relevant partners.
Until those consultations are completed, the proposed increase will not take effect.
The reversal marks a significant shift from the ministry’s earlier position. On June 18, the government approved a uniform N50,000 registration fee for WAEC and NECO examinations, beginning in 2027, after receiving a request from WAEC for an upward review of examination charges.
That announcement immediately sparked nationwide debate, with many arguing that the increase would make secondary school examinations less affordable at a time when many Nigerian households are already grappling with rising living costs.
Among the prominent voices opposing the proposal was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who criticised the planned fee hike and questioned its impact on access to education. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also rejected the proposal, warning that the increase could place additional financial pressure on families and potentially prevent some students from sitting their final secondary school examinations.
Education advocates have similarly argued that while examination bodies may face increasing operational costs, affordability should remain a key consideration, particularly given the government’s broader commitment to expanding access to quality education.
The Ministry of Education has reiterated that students’ welfare, equitable access to education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda. It also assured Nigerians that updates would be provided as consultations progress and before any final decision is announced.
For now, students preparing for the 2027 examinations and their families can expect the proposed fee increase to remain on hold while the government seeks a broader consensus on how best to balance the financial sustainability of national examinations with the need to keep education accessible for all.
