*Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister for Education, announces Federal Government decision to suspend fee increments for the public examinations is to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders for a fresh review before any final determination is made on the payable fees
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
The Nigerian Government has disclosed the authorise suspended the planned increases in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE) amid public concerns about the proposal.
The Federal Ministry of Education, which said this in a statement Monday, July 13, 2026, affirmed the Federal Government had withdrawn a letter that earlier communicated the proposed fee adjustments for the public examinations.
Nutrition Safety: FCCPC seals 3 milk factories over infractions, arrests producer in Anambra
ConsumerConnect reports the proposed upward fee adjustments would have raised the registration fees for both WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000, effective from 2027.
Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, stated the government decision on suspending the fee increments is taken to allow for broader consultations and a fresh review of the proposal before any final determination is made.
The Ministry stated: “The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken.”
The government also explained the planned review was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country.
It argued that the examination fees have remained largely unchanged for years despite significant increases in operational and administrative expenses.
According to the Ministry, growing costs in areas such as logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services have continued to put pressure on examination bodies.
The statement as well noted Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister for Education, however, had directed that implementation of the proposal be halted pending consultations.
Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations equally noted: “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.”
The Ministry emphasised that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until discussions with stakeholders are concluded.
The statement revealed that consultations would involve various examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, Organised Labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners.
The government remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are subjected to adequate scrutiny and reflect public interest, the Ministry said.
Reiterating its position, the Federal Government assures Nigerians that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking would remain central to the administration’s education agenda.
The Federal Ministry of Education as well said it would to keep the citizens informed throughout the consultation process before any decision is reached on the proposed public examination fee review.