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 (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) following widespread public criticism.
The Ministry of Education announced that the June 18 letter introducing a uniform registration fee of N50,000, up from the current N27,500, has been withdrawn pending extensive consultations with key stakeholders. The proposed hike had sparked concerns among parents, education experts and opposition figures, who argued it would make secondary school examinations less affordable for students from low-income families.
According to the ministry, the proposed adjustment was driven by rising costs associated with conducting public examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance. However, Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold to allow for an inclusive, transparent and evidence-based review process.
The ministry said it will engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other stakeholders before making a final decision. It also reassured Nigerians that no fee increase will take effect until the consultation process is completed, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting students’ welfare, ensuring equitable access to quality education and making responsible policy decisions.