FG Halts Planned Hike in WAEC, NECO Registration Fees

The Federal Government has suspended its earlier plan to increase registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

The decision, announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, follows widespread public concern over the proposed hike. The ministry said it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 circular that communicated the fee adjustment, pending a comprehensive review of the policy.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry explained that the suspension was prompted by reactions from Nigerians who expressed worry about the financial burden the increase would impose on families.

According to the statement, the proposed review was initially considered necessary due to rising operational costs in conducting national examinations. These include logistics, security, printing of materials, technology deployment, and quality assurance measures aimed at maintaining the integrity of public examinations.

However, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold to allow for wider consultation. He said the government remains committed to transparent and inclusive policymaking that reflects the realities of Nigerian households.

“As part of the review process, the Ministry will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other stakeholders,” the statement read.

The ministry assured that any future decision on examination fees would be fair, sustainable, and responsive to current economic conditions while ensuring that access to education remains protected.

It emphasised that the proposed increase would not take effect until consultations are concluded and a final decision is reached.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to education, the ministry said the welfare of students and equitable access to quality learning remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement also appreciated parents, students, and stakeholders for their patience and understanding, promising to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.

The suspension has been welcomed by education stakeholders who had earlier criticised the planned hike, describing it as untimely given the economic challenges facing many families.

With this move, the Federal Government signals its readiness to balance fiscal realities with social responsibility, ensuring that no student is denied the opportunity to sit for national examinations due to financial constraints.