Starting in 2027, the federal government has approved a new examination fee of N50,000 for secondary school candidates sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.
This update, which replaces the previous fee of N27,500, represents an 82% hike.
The announcement was made on June 18 in a statement by Adeniji Ibrahim, the director of senior secondary education at the ministry of education.
This decision followed a request by WAEC to review costs for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Ibrahim explained that the policy was finalized following a March 31, 2026, meeting between the minister of education and various examination bodies.
During that meeting, the minister instructed both agencies to harmonize their pricing. “You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the honourable minister of education on 31 March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the honourable minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement reads.
The ministry further stated: “Consequently, I am directed to convey the honourable minister of education’s approval of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”
Folasade Boriowo, the director of press and public relations for the ministry, confirmed the development on Saturday. “I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago and he said the approval was done,” Folashade said.
The ministry has instructed that this change be communicated to all relevant stakeholders across the country.
