Government Cancels Proposed Fee Increase for 2027 WASSCE and NECO Exams
The Federal Government has rescinded its plan to increase registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), responding to significant public backlash against the proposal.
This decision, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, came just a day after widespread criticism erupted from parents, students, trade unions, civil society organizations, and opposition groups. Many argued that the proposed fee hike would impose an additional financial burden on countless Nigerian families already grappling with escalating living costs.
In a statement issued by Mrs. Folasad Boriowo, the Director General of Press and Public Relations for the Ministry, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa ordered the immediate suspension of the circular dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the planned fee adjustments.
The suspension aims to facilitate more extensive consultations with key stakeholders and underscores the government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking. The statement emphasized that the review process is now on hold pending discussions with all parties involved.
The Ministry explained that the proposed fee increase stemmed from rising operational costs associated with administering reliable public examinations. These costs include logistics, security, printing of exam materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and various other operational necessities.
Despite the Ministry’s reasoning, the proposal faced widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians deeming it insensitive given the current economic climate. Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar publicly criticized the government’s plan, urging it to withdraw the fee increase.
Public disapproval was prominently featured on Abuja’s 95.1 Nigeria Info’s morning talk show, Morning Crossfire, where callers overwhelmingly rejected the proposed fee hike. One caller, Wole Segun, highlighted that workers earning the national minimum wage would struggle to pay exam fees for even a single child, noting that families with multiple candidates might have to make difficult decisions about which child to allow to sit for the exams.
Another caller questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that supporting pilgrimages with public funds while considering an increase in exam fees sends a distressing message. The caller expressed concern about the implications for impoverished families, asserting that the proposed fee increase could force many children from low-income households to discontinue their education.
Concerned voices echoed this sentiment, with residents expressing fear that the planned increase would disproportionately affect children from financially-strained families, particularly those aspiring for higher education. Many urged the government not only to scrap the proposed increase but also to consider lowering existing exam fees to alleviate the financial burden on parents.
While the public welcomed the suspension of the fee increase, there were calls for a permanent cessation of such plans to ensure no further hardships were imposed on families. The Ministry affirmed that further consultations would involve testing agencies, state education departments, school management, parent associations, organized labor, and other stakeholders before any final decision is made.
Mrs. Boriowo reiterated that any adjustments to the WASSCE and NECO registration fees would only occur after the completion of the consultation process. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring equitable access to quality education while also maintaining the credibility, integrity, and sustainability of Nigeria’s public examination system. They assured the public that any outcomes from stakeholder consultations would significantly influence the government’s final decision, emphasizing that no fee adjustments would proceed without widespread consensus.
