The Nigerian 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 suspension follows feedback and concerns raised by stakeholders and other Nigerians, according to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, released on Monday.
The ministry acknowledged the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciated the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education. The proposed fee change, outlined in a letter dated 18 June to the heads of WAEC and NECO, had directed the examination bodies to review the cost of SSCE to a uniform fee of N50,000 per candidate.
Reasons for proposed fee review
The ministry explained that the proposed review was informed by the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. The government noted that the current examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for years despite significant increases in operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services required to maintain the integrity and credibility of public examinations across the country.
The minister of education, Tunji Alausa, has now directed the suspension, pending engagement with stakeholders. The ministry said it will engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders, and other critical partners to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable, transparent, and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education.
Next steps
Accordingly, the proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all Nigerian children have access to quality and affordable education.
