Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), pending wider consultations with stakeholders.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the suspension in a statement on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, it has withdrawn its June 18, 2026, letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review of the proposal.
The ministry said the decision followed reactions from members of the public and other stakeholders over the proposed increase, noting that it had taken into account the concerns and constructive feedback received.
It explained that the proposed review was necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible public examinations across the country.
According to the ministry, examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational costs associated with logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.
It stated that the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
“The decision reflects the ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are subjected to broad consultation and careful consideration before implementation,” the statement said.
The ministry said it would engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other key stakeholders as part of the review process.
It added that the consultations would ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing economic realities while safeguarding access to education.
The ministry stressed that the proposed fee adjustment would not take effect until consultations had been concluded and a final decision reached.
It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ministry also appreciated parents, students and other stakeholders for their understanding and assured the public that updates would be provided throughout the consultation process.
