Federal Government Suspends Planned WAEC And NECO Fee Increase After Public Outcry

Federal Government Suspends Planned WAEC and NECO Fee Increase After Public Outcry The Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination NECO SSCE following widespread public concerns over the planned adjustment. The proposed fee review would have increased the cost of registering for both examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000, representing an 82 per cent rise. The decision to suspend the implementation was announced after concerns were raised by students, parents and other stakeholders, who expressed fears that the increase could place additional financial pressure on families already facing economic challenges. The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposed increase be put on hold pending further consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Officials said the government would engage with examination bodies and other partners to review the implications of the proposed fees before any final decision is made. WAEC and NECO examinations remain key certification pathways for millions of Nigerian secondary school students seeking admission into higher education institutions and employment opportunities. The suspension is expected to provide room for discussions on how to balance the rising costs of conducting examinations with the need to keep access affordable for students across the country.