FG Suspends Planned ₦50,000 WAEC, NECO Registration Fees for 2027 After Public Outcry

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 (SSCE) following widespread public backlash.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension in a statement issued on Monday, confirming that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 directive approving the proposed fee hike pending a comprehensive review.

According to the statement, signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the decision was made in response to concerns expressed by Nigerians over the planned increase.

The ministry reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education, stressing that the interests of students and families remain a top priority.

Under the suspended proposal, registration fees for both WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations were to increase to ₦50,000 per candidate from the 2027 examination cycle a sharp rise from the current fees.

The ministry also assured the public that no final decision would be taken without broad consultations with key stakeholders in the education sector.

It urged Nigerians to remain calm, noting that any future review of examination fees would be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and the overall interest of students, parents, and the education sector.