The Federal Government has suspended its 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) following widespread public criticism.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the official letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, has been withdrawn to allow for broader consultations with key stakeholders before any final decision is reached.
The now-suspended proposal had suggested increasing the registration fee for both examinations to about ₦50,000 per candidate. The plan sparked strong reactions from parents, students, education advocates, and civil society groups, who argued that the increase would place an unbearable financial burden on millions of Nigerian families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Responding to the backlash, the ministry said it is committed to engaging stakeholders, including examination bodies, school proprietors, parents, and other relevant groups, to ensure that any future decision reflects the realities facing Nigerians while maintaining the quality and sustainability of the country’s examination system.
With the suspension, the proposed fee review will no longer proceed as initially planned, pending the outcome of the consultations.
