The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) following widespread public concern over the planned review.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension on Monday, saying it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026, circular conveying the proposed fee adjustment pending extensive consultations with stakeholders.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, the government said the decision was informed by reactions from Nigerians, noting that it had carefully considered the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public.
The ministry explained that the proposed review was originally necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
According to the statement, registration fees for the examinations have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, deployment of technology, quality assurance and other critical services required to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
It, however, disclosed that the Minister of Education, **Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa**, directed that the proposed increase be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry said the decision underscored the government’s resolve to ensure that policies affecting millions of students, parents and schools are subjected to broad consultation before implementation.
“As part of the review process, the Ministry will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners,” the statement read.
It added that the consultations are aimed at ensuring that any future decision on examination registration fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing economic realities without undermining access to education.
The ministry stressed that the proposed increase would not take effect until the consultation process had been concluded and a final decision reached.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to the education sector, the ministry said the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ministry also appreciated parents, students and other stakeholders for their patience, understanding and constructive engagement, assuring Nigerians that the public would be kept informed throughout the consultation process.
