BY NKECHI NAECHE- ESEZOBOR—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).
According to a statement by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Education has withdrawn the adjustment letter dated 18 June 2026 to allow for a comprehensive review.
The Ministry acknowledged the public concerns and constructive feedback received from Nigerians regarding access to quality education.
It explained that the proposed review was originally informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations, noting that current registration fees have remained unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs.
These operational hikes have heavily impacted logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, and quality assurance.
However, 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.
This decision underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are socially responsive and reflect the collective interest of the nation.
Consequently, the proposed fee adjustments will not take effect as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of a wider consultation process.
As part of the fresh review process, the Ministry plans to engage extensively with examination bodies, State Ministries of Education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, and organised labour.
The goal of this collaborative engagement is to ensure that any future decision regarding examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent, and safeguards access to education.
The Federal Ministry of Education reassured Nigerians that the welfare of students and equitable access to quality education remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Ministry expressed appreciation for the patience of all stakeholders and committed to keeping the public fully informed throughout the process.
