The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase 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 criticism over the proposed increase and its potential impact on Nigerian households.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday, July 13, 2026, that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026, circular proposing the fee adjustment after Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa directed that the proposal be put on hold pending broader stakeholder consultations.
Under the suspended proposal, registration fees for both examinations would have increased from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, representing an increase of about 82%, with implementation scheduled for the 2027 examination cycle.
The proposal triggered strong reactions from parents, students, education advocates and political leaders, who argued that the sharp increase would further limit access to secondary education at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with rising inflation and a higher cost of living.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among those who criticised the proposal, describing it as economically insensitive and warning that higher examination fees could place additional financial pressure on low-income families. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also called on the government to reverse the planned increase.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the suspension reflects the government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry noted that although examination fees have remained largely unchanged for several years, the cost of administering nationwide examinations has risen significantly due to higher spending on logistics, security, printing, technology infrastructure, quality assurance and other operational requirements necessary to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
Despite these cost pressures, the ministry said no final decision would be taken until extensive consultations are concluded with key stakeholders, including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education sector representatives.
The review process is expected to assess how examination bodies can maintain operational sustainability without undermining affordability for millions of candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions each year.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ welfare and ensuring equitable access to quality education, adding that public feedback would play a central role in determining any future review of examination fees.
It also pledged to keep Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process, while thanking parents, students and other stakeholders for their engagement and continued support.
