The Federal Government has put plans to raise exam registration fees on hold following significant pushback from the public. The Ministry of Education withdrew a June 18, 2026 letter proposing the fee adjustment for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Ministry spokesperson Boriowo Folasade said the decision came after Nigerians raised concerns about the planned increase. She noted that officials had carefully considered feedback from the public on the matter.
The proposed review was meant to address rising costs tied to running credible national exams. Exam registration fees hadn't moved significantly in years even as operational expenses climbed, covering areas like logistics, security, printing materials, technology deployment and quality checks.
Education minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa directed that the proposal be shelved to align with the government's commitment to open, transparent and evidence-based decision-making. He said policies touching millions of students and families deserve broad consultation before rollout.
The Ministry will now engage examination bodies, state education ministries, school leaders, parents' groups, labour unions and other education partners in fresh talks. These consultations aim to produce a fee decision that balances fairness, sustainability and transparency while keeping education accessible.
No fee increase will happen until consultations wrap up and a final call is made, officials confirmed. The government reassured Nigerians that student welfare, fair access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain core to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the sector.
The Ministry thanked parents, students and stakeholders for their patience and backing. Officials pledged to keep the public in the loop as the consultation process moves forward.
