FG Suspends 82% Hike in WAEC, NECO Fees, Orders Wider Consultations

The Federal Government has suspended its earlier decision to increase registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations from 2027, pending consultations with key stakeholders.

The development comes days after the government approved an 82 per cent increase in examination fees, raising the registration charge from N27,500 to N50,000 for candidates sitting the examinations from 2027.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry said the letter dated June 18, 2026, conveying the proposed fee review had been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal.

According to the ministry, the suspension is intended to create room for broader consultations with examination bodies, state governments, school proprietors, parents, organised labour and other education stakeholders before a final decision is taken.

The ministry acknowledged concerns expressed by members of the public following the announcement of the proposed fee increase and appreciated Nigerians for their interest in policies affecting access to quality education.

It explained that the proposed adjustment was informed by prevailing economic conditions and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.

According to the statement, operational expenses associated with the examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance, have increased significantly over the years, while registration fees have remained largely unchanged.

Despite these realities, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that implementation of the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

“The proposal has been placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the ministry stated.

It added that the decision reflects the government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully considered and aligned with the broader public interest.

As part of the review process, the ministry said it would engage extensively with WAEC, NECO, State Ministries of Education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other critical stakeholders to develop a framework that is fair, transparent and sustainable.

According to the ministry, any future decision on examination fees would take into account prevailing economic realities while ensuring that access to education is not undermined.

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

The ministry reaffirmed that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the education agenda of the Tinubu administration.

The Federal Government had earlier approved a uniform registration fee of N50,000 for WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations from 2027, representing an increase of N22,500 or 82 per cent over the current N27,500 charge.

The approval, conveyed in a June 18 letter signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the rising cost of administering public examinations was discussed.

The ministry had also confirmed the approval before announcing Monday’s suspension.