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, following public concerns over the planned increase.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn an earlier communication conveying the proposed adjustment in examination fees to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said the decision was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
According to the ministry, the proposal to review examination fees was necessitated by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance processes.
Despite these challenges, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold pending the outcome of consultations with key stakeholders across the education sector.
“The letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement said.
The ministry noted that the suspension reflects its determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully considered and responsive to prevailing socio-economic realities.
It added that consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other critical stakeholders to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable and safeguards access to education.
The ministry further clarified that the proposed increase in examination registration fees would not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process is concluded.
Reassuring Nigerians of its commitment to educational development, the ministry said students’ welfare and equitable access to quality education remain central to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.
The statement also expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their feedback and support, pledging to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.
