FG Approves N50,000 WAEC, NECO Registration Fee from 2027

The Federal Government has approved a new registration fee of ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), effective from the 2027 examination cycle.

The decision has sparked criticism from parents, education stakeholders and opposition figures, who argue that the increase will make secondary education less affordable for many Nigerian families.

The new fee represents a significant increase from the current charges. NECO candidates currently pay about ₦30,000, while WAEC candidates pay ₦27,000 for the internal SSCE.

Ministry confirms uniform examination fee

The approval was contained in a memo dated June 18, 2026, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

According to the memo, the adjustment followed a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies held on March 31, 2026, where stakeholders agreed that both WAEC and NECO should operate a uniform registration fee.

The ministry directed that ₦50,000 would become the official registration fee for the NECO and WAEC Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates beginning in 2027.

The ministry also instructed NECO to communicate the new fee structure to all relevant stakeholders.

States may face higher examination debts

The increase is expected to place additional financial pressure on state governments that sponsor candidates’ examination fees.

Several states currently pay WAEC registration fees for public school students. In Lagos State, for example, the government covers WAEC registration, while many parents pay separately for NECO.

Education observers fear that the higher fee could increase outstanding debts owed to examination bodies by states struggling with education funding.

Parents in states where governments do not sponsor examination fees have also expressed concern that some students may be unable to register for the examinations.

Parents’ association rejects sharp increase

The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) described the increase as excessive.

Chairman of NAPTAN’s Board of Trustees, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said while examination fees may require periodic review because of rising operational costs, the increase should have been gradual.

He argued that parents are already dealing with rising living costs, school expenses and other household obligations, warning that many students could be denied the opportunity to complete secondary education if they cannot afford the new registration fee.

According to him, an increase of about 25 per cent would have been more reasonable than the proposed adjustment.

NUT leaves decision to parents

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) declined to take a position on the fee increase.

National President Audu Titus Amba said the union’s primary responsibility is the welfare of teachers, adding that the issue of examination fees is one for parents to either accept or reject.

He, however, said the union would address broader education sector issues during a planned media briefing.

Calls for policy reversal

Atiku urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse both the increase in Unity School fees and the newly approved ₦50,000 WAEC and NECO examination fee.

He also called for an urgent national dialogue involving education stakeholders to develop a more sustainable approach to financing public education without placing additional financial burdens on families.

The new examination fee is scheduled to take effect from the 2027 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, unless the policy is reviewed before implementation.