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).
The decision appears to have followed public outcry and concerns and is aimed at ensuring broader stakeholder participation.
In a statement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed that it had withdrawn its 18 June 2026 letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment to allow for comprehensive consultations before any final decision is taken.
According to the ministry, the decision followed constructive feedback from Nigerians and reflects the federal government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.
The ministry explained that the proposed increase had been necessitated by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
It noted that registration fees for the examinations have remained largely unchanged for several years despite escalating operational expenses, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other services required to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold pending extensive consultations with critical stakeholders.
The ministry said the decision demonstrates the government’s resolve to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and their families are carefully considered and reflect the nation’s collective interests.
As part of the review process, the ministry said it would engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other education stakeholders to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable, and responsive to current economic realities.
It stressed that the proposed review of examination registration fees would not take effect, as previously communicated, until the consultation process is concluded.
The ministry, however, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting students’ welfare and expanding equitable access to quality education.
It noted that responsible policy decisions remain central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector and also thanked Nigerians for their understanding, assuring the public that it would continue to provide updates throughout the consultation process.
(The Sun)
