Government approves 82% hike in examination fees
Parents in Nigeria will now pay ₦50,000 to register each child for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) from the year 2027. This represents an 82% increase from the previous fee of ₦27,500.
The Federal Government approved the new examination fee in a June 18 statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education. The approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the SSCE registration fee.
Decision reached after meeting with education minister
According to Ibrahim, the decision was reached after a March 31, 2026 meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed. He said the minister also directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform examination fee.
Criticism from students and opposition
The increment has drawn criticism from students and opposition figures, who argue that the new fee will place an additional financial burden on families already struggling with economic challenges.
