The Federal Government has announced the immediate suspension of its proposed upward 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).
The decision, which brings temporary relief to millions of Nigerian households, follows intense public feedback and economic anxieties over the rising cost of education. In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that an earlier directive dated June 18, 2026, which initiated the fee adjustment, has been formally withdrawn.
Minister Halts Fee Adjustments for Deeper Consultations
The turnaround comes on the direct orders of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON. According to the ministry, the suspension is vital to allow for a more inclusive, evidence-based approach to policymaking that takes the financial realities of ordinary Nigerians into account.
Defending the suspension, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Boriowo Folasade, emphasized that the government is prioritizing the public interest over sudden administrative changes.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. 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,” Folasade stated. “This decision underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and reflect the collective interest of the nation.”
Economic Realities and the Cost of Credible Examinations
While the government has paused the hikes, the Ministry of Education noted that the initial proposal was driven by severe economic pressures. Officials pointed out that registration fees for major national examinations have remained static for several years despite a sharp spike in the operational costs required to conduct secure and credible tests.
The ministry detailed that rising costs in logistics, security, high-tech deployments, printing of examination materials, and quality assurance have heavily burdened exam bodies like WAEC and NECO. Despite these financial strains, the government maintains that any final adjustments must not compromise equitable access to quality education for Nigerian children.
Broad Stakeholder Engagements to Determine Next Steps
Rather than enforcing the price changes unilaterally, the Federal Ministry of Education will launch an extensive, multi-sector review process. The suspended fees will remain on hold indefinitely until a consensus is reached with all major players in the academic sector.
Moving forward, the government plans to hold round-table discussions with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organized labor, and education experts. The ministry reassured the public that these steps align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promising that the final outcome will be transparent, fair, and socially responsible.
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