Federal Government Halts Proposed WAEC, NECO Fee Increase, Begins Stakeholder Consultations

The Federal Government has suspended plans to increase registration fees for the 2027 WAEC and NECO senior secondary school examinations, opting instead to engage stakeholders after widespread public reactions.

The Federal Ministry of Education disclosed on Monday that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 communication announcing the proposed fee review, pending a full reassessment of the policy.

In a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the government said it acknowledged the concerns expressed by Nigerians over the proposed increase and decided to pause implementation.

The ministry explained that the planned fee adjustment was necessitated by economic realities and the rising cost of organising national examinations. It noted that examination registration charges have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in spending on logistics, security, printing, technology deployment, quality assurance and other operational requirements.

Following public feedback, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be suspended in line with the government’s commitment to transparent, inclusive and evidence-driven policymaking.

The ministry said consultations would now be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school owners and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners before any decision is reached.

“As part of the fresh review process, the Ministry will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other critical partners,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, the consultations are aimed at ensuring that any future review of examination fees is fair, transparent, sustainable and reflective of current economic realities without limiting access to education.

It emphasised that no increase in registration fees will take effect until the consultation process is concluded and a final decision is announced.

The ministry further assured Nigerians that student welfare, equal access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while expressing appreciation to parents, students and other stakeholders for their understanding and continued support.

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