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 (SSCE), pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the decision in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, on Monday.
According to the ministry, the proposed fee adjustment, which was communicated on 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations before a final decision is reached.
The ministry said it acknowledged the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public, adding that it appreciated Nigerians’ keen interest in issues relating to access to quality education.
It explained that the proposed review was necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
It noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services required to maintain the integrity of public examinations.
The statement, however, said the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa had directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence based policymaking.
According to the ministry, the decision reflects the government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and in the overall national interest.
It added that the ministry would embark on extensive consultations 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 review process.
The ministry said the consultations are aimed at ensuring that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing economic realities while safeguarding access to education.
It stressed that the proposed review of examination registration fees would not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process is concluded.
Reaffirming its 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 thanked stakeholders for their understanding, patience and continued support, assuring Nigerians that the public would be kept fully informed throughout the consultation process.
