By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The 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 decision was announced on Monday, 13 July, 2026, in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
The ministry said it withdrew its Thursday, 18 June, 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations before taking a final decision.
According to the ministry, the suspension followed concerns and constructive feedback from Nigerians over the proposed increase in examination registration fees.
It explained that the proposed review was necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible public examinations.
The ministry noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for years despite significant increases in the cost of logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other essential services required to preserve the credibility of national examinations.
However, it said the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.
“The proposal has been placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the ministry said.
It added that the decision reflects the ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive and in the overall interest of the country.
The ministry disclosed that it would begin fresh consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners before arriving at a final decision.
According to the statement, the engagement is aimed at ensuring that any future review of examination registration fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to quality education.
It, therefore, announced that the proposed fee review will not take effect as earlier communicated until the consultation process is concluded.
The ministry reaffirmed that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain central to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the education sector.
It also thanked Nigerians for their understanding, patience and continued support, assuring the public that stakeholders would be carried along throughout the consultation process.
