Education Ministry withdraws proposed 82% hike after backlash from parents and stakeholders….
The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following public criticism over the proposed adjustment.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement issued on Monday, announced the withdrawal of a June 18, 2026 letter that communicated the planned increase in examination fees.
The ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said the decision was to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal and wider consultations with stakeholders before any final decision is taken.
“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Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.
Under the suspended proposal, registration fees for both WAEC and NECO examinations would have risen from N27,500 to N50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase.
The ministry had earlier explained that the proposed review was driven by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country, noting that fees had remained largely unchanged despite increased operational demands.
It cited higher expenses in areas including logistics, examination security, printing of materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services as factors affecting examination bodies.
Following the public reaction, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended pending further engagement with relevant groups.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, 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 ministry stated.
The ministry said no adjustment would take effect until consultations are concluded.
It added that the review process would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders.
The government said it remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and families undergo proper scrutiny and reflect public interest.
It also reaffirmed that students’ welfare, equal access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain priorities of the Federal Government’s education agenda.
