The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review WAEC costs for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread concerns and feedback from education stakeholders and the Nigerian public.
Key Highlights:
- Federal Government suspends proposed review WAEC costs for 2027 WASSCE and NECO examinations.
- Decision follows public backlash and concerns raised by stakeholders.
- Proposed registration fee of ₦50,000 per candidate put on hold.
- Minister of Education orders comprehensive consultations before any future review.
- Government says current fees have remained largely unchanged despite rising operational costs.
- Stakeholders, including parents, schools and labour unions, to participate in the review process.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the ministry, the decision to suspend the proposed fee review was informed by the need to engage relevant stakeholders and ensure that any future adjustment is fair, transparent and does not restrict access to quality education.
“The ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education,” the statement said.
The proposed fee review followed a directive contained in a letter dated June 18, which instructed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to adopt a uniform registration fee of ₦50,000 per candidate for the Senior School Certificate Examination.
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The ministry explained that the proposal was driven by prevailing economic realities and the increasing cost of conducting credible national examinations.
It noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged over the years despite significant increases in logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other operational expenses required to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed that the proposal be suspended pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
The ministry disclosed that it would engage WAEC, NECO, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders before taking any final decision.
It stressed that the proposed review of examination registration fees would not take effect until the consultation process is concluded.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that examination fees remain affordable while maintaining the quality, credibility and sustainability of Nigeria’s public examination system.
