Government Puts Hold on Proposed Hike in WAEC, NECO Exam Fees

The Federal Government has put on hold its plan to revise registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination, yielding to widespread public concerns and choosing instead to engage in extensive stakeholder consultations.

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This decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, with the ministry withdrawing its June 18, 2026 letter that had proposed the fee adjustment, pending a thorough review of the policy.

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The ministry's director of press and public relations, Boriowo Folasade, issued a statement explaining that the decision was made in response to reactions from Nigerians regarding the planned fee increase, with the ministry taking note of the public's concerns and constructive feedback on the matter.

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According to the Ministry, the initial proposal to review the fees was driven by the country's economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations, with examination registration fees having remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational expenses.

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These operational expenses include logistics, security, printing of examination materials, deployment of technology, quality assurance, and other critical services required to preserve the integrity of public examinations, the Ministry explained.

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However, Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa has directed that the proposal be suspended, aligning with the federal government's commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.

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The Ministry's decision reflects its determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are subjected to broad consultation and carefully weighed before implementation, according to the statement.

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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 as part of the fresh review process.

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This consultation process will ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent, and responsive to prevailing economic realities while protecting access to education, the Ministry added.

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The proposed increase will not take effect until the consultation process has been concluded and a final decision reached, the Ministry stressed.

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The ministry reassured Nigerians of the government's commitment to education, stating that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policymaking remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.

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The Ministry also thanked parents, students, and other stakeholders for their understanding, patience, and continued support, pledging to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.