The Federal Government has halted the planned registration fee increase for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination to allow for broader stakeholder consultations.
According to a Monday statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the suspension comes in response to public concerns and feedback.
“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Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.
The ministry explained that the initial push for the fee review was prompted by escalating operational expenses, such as the deployment of technology, security, logistics, quality assurance, and the printing of examination materials.
These costs have surged while registration fees remained stagnant for several years.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, ordered the suspension to ensure public interest is adequately considered.
“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 noted.
Moving forward, the ministry plans to engage with state education ministries, examination bodies, parents’ associations, school administrators, organised labour, and other critical partners before finalizing any adjustments.
Until these consultations are completed, the proposed fee review will not take effect.
The government also reiterated its focus on student welfare and equitable access to quality education throughout this process.
Previously, the Federal Government had approved an 82 per cent increase, raising the examination fee from N27,500 to N50,000 for secondary school candidates starting in 2027.
This initial approval was communicated in a June 18, 2026, statement by Adeniji Ibrahim, the Director of Senior Secondary Education, following a request from WAEC for an upward review.
