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 concerns.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, it has withdrawn its June 18, 2026, circular notifying stakeholders of the proposed fee review to allow for broader consultations before any final decision is reached.
Boriowo said the suspension followed constructive feedback from Nigerians over the planned increase, which had been proposed in response to rising economic pressures and the growing cost of conducting credible national examinations.
She noted that escalating expenses for logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services informed the proposal.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed that the planned fee review be placed on hold, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
As part of the review, the ministry will consult examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labor and other key stakeholders.
“The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” Boriowo said.
She reiterated that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain at the heart of the government’s education agenda.
The ministry also thanked Nigerians for their understanding and patience, assuring the public that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process.
