The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of 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.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said it had withdrawn the June 18, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders before a final decision is taken.
According to the ministry, the suspension is aimed at ensuring a comprehensive review of the proposal through engagement with key stakeholders, including examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders.
The ministry said the proposed fee review was necessitated by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible public examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance. It noted that examination registration fees had remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing costs.
It, however, stated that the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry stressed that the proposed fee increase would not take effect as earlier communicated until consultations with stakeholders are concluded.
It added that the review process would ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing economic realities while safeguarding access to education.
The ministry also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising students’ welfare and equitable access to quality education, describing the move as consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
It appreciated Nigerians for their constructive feedback and assured the public that stakeholders would be kept fully informed throughout the consultation process.
