BREAKING: FG suspends planned WAEC, NECO fee increase after public backlash

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination scheduled to take effect in 2027.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the decision on Monday in a statement signed by Folasade Boriowo, director of press and public relations.

The ministry said it had withdrawn the June 18, 2026 letter approving the proposed fee adjustment following widespread criticism from parents, education stakeholders, and members of the public.

The government had reportedly approved a uniform registration fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting for WAEC and NECO examinations from 2027.

The proposal would have increased the WAEC registration fee from N27,000 to N50,000, while NECO’s fee would have risen from N30,000 to the same amount.

Parent groups and other stakeholders warned that the increase could prevent students from low-income families from registering for the examinations.

Government orders wider consultation

The ministry said it withdrew the approval to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with relevant stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

The suspension means the proposed N50,000 registration fee will not take effect until the government completes the review process and issues a new directive.

The ministry did not provide a timeline for the consultations or indicate whether it would propose a lower fee after the review.

What this means

The government has suspended the fee increase, but it has not permanently canceled the proposed review.

WAEC and NECO candidates will continue to await further guidance on the registration fees for the 2027 examinations.

The reversal also highlights the growing pressure on the government to consider the effect of education policies on families already struggling with rising living costs.

More to come…