The Federal Government has backpedalled on its proposal to increase the 2027 West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fee.
This was as it declared that it would engage in wide consultation with Nigerians before any decision on an upward review of the examination fee can be effected.
The government had, in a widely circulated report on Sunday, announced its approval of an increase in the SSCE fee from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, effective from 2027.
The proposed increase would have raised the examination fee for both WAEC and NECO SSCE from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, beginning in 2027, and representing an 82 per cent increase.
Why FG Suspended Proposed WAEC, NECO Fee Increment
However, the Federal Ministry of Education stated in a release, on Monday, that no adjustment to examination fee would take effect until discussions with stakeholders were concluded.
The ministry stated in the release by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, that the Federal Government has withdrawn a 18 June, 2026 letter that communicated the proposed adjustment in the examination fee.
It was further stated that the decision was taken to allow for broader consultations and a fresh review of the proposal before any final determination is made.
“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” it was stated.
The ministry explained that the planned review was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country.
It noted that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for years, despite significant increases in operational expenses.
According to the ministry, growing costs in areas such as logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services have continued to put pressure on examination bodies.
However, it said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, had directed that implementation of the proposal be halted, pending consultations.
“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 stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until discussions with stakeholders were concluded.
It disclosed that consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners.
The statement added that the government remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are subjected to adequate scrutiny and reflect public interest.
Reaffirming its position, the ministry stated that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.
It also pledged to keep Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process before any decision was reached on the proposed fee review.
