FG halts planned N50,000 WAEC, NECO registration fee amid backlash 

The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) following widespread public criticism of the proposal.

The decision means the proposed N50,000 registration fee for candidates sitting the examinations from 2027 will no longer take immediate effect pending consultations with key stakeholders in the education sector.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the development in a statement on Monday, saying the earlier communication conveying the proposed fee adjustment had been withdrawn to allow for broader engagement and review.

The proposal had sought to raise the registration fee from the current N27,500 to N50,000, a move that sparked concerns among parents, school owners, labour groups and education advocates, who warned that the increase could place additional financial pressure on families and limit access to education for many students.

In the statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government explained that the proposed review was necessitated by the rising cost of administering national examinations.

According to the ministry, examination fees have remained relatively stable over the years despite increasing expenses associated with conducting the examinations.

It cited logistics, security arrangements, printing of examination materials, deployment of technology and quality assurance processes as some of the factors responsible for escalating operational costs.

However, the ministry said the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed that implementation of the proposal be suspended to allow for wider consultations before any final decision is reached.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the statement said.

The ministry noted that the move reflects the government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are subjected to adequate scrutiny and stakeholder input.

It added that consultations would be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, private and public school operators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other relevant groups.

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

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring equitable access to education and maintaining policies that support the welfare of students across the country.

It also assured Nigerians that any future decision on examination fees would take into consideration the views of stakeholders and the broader interests of the education sector.

The ministry thanked members of the public for their feedback on the proposal and pledged to keep citizens informed as consultations progress.

The suspension comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of education and the economic challenges facing many households, with critics arguing that a sharp increase in examination fees could discourage enrolment and worsen educational inequality.