The Federal Government has approved a new examination fee of ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations, nearly doubling what families currently pay and triggering widespread criticism across the country. The increase takes effect from 2027.
Fee hike details and timeline
The decision was contained in a memo dated June 18 and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim. It followed a March 31 meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where a fee review was discussed. The minister subsequently directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform rate.
Currently, WAEC candidates pay ₦27,000, while NECO candidates pay ₦30,000. Under the new arrangement, both examinations will cost ₦50,000 per candidate. Families whose children sit both exams will pay a combined ₦100,000, excluding additional charges levied by schools.
NANS rejects the increase
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was among the first to push back, rejecting the increase as insensitive to the economic realities facing Nigerian families. NANS also criticised the process, arguing that such a significant decision should not have been made without consulting student representatives.
"Anything for us, without us, is against us," the association said in a statement signed by its president, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez.
Atiku calls hike cruel and economically insensitive
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the hike as cruel and economically insensitive, warning that it would deepen Nigeria's out-of-school crisis. According to reports, between 10.5 million and 15 million Nigerian children are already outside the classroom.
"A government cannot credibly claim to be expanding access to higher education while simultaneously erecting financial barriers that prevent millions of young Nigerians from ever reaching the university gates," Atiku said, calling on President Tinubu to reverse the increase immediately.
Economic context and state budget pressures
The timing has drawn particular criticism. Nigeria is currently dealing with record inflation, rising food and transportation costs, and stagnant incomes, conditions that have already made secondary education difficult for low-income families. Several state governments currently cover WAEC registration fees for public school students. Lagos State, for instance, pays the fee for eligible candidates. The new rate is expected to place additional pressure on state budgets already stretched by multiple competing obligations.
The Federal Ministry of Education has not issued a public justification for the size of the increase beyond referencing the March meeting and WAEC's original request for an upward review.
