The Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following widespread public criticism and concerns over the potential impact on students and their families.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, which confirmed that an earlier communication proposing the fee adjustment had been withdrawn to allow for broader stakeholder consultations and a comprehensive review of the proposal.

The statement, signed by the ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said the government remains committed to ensuring that any policy affecting access to education is developed through an inclusive and transparent process.

"The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken," the statement read.

The proposed review would have increased the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an increase of approximately 82 per cent.

The proposal generated widespread reactions from parents, education stakeholders, labour groups and civil society organisations, many of whom argued that the increase would place an additional financial burden on households already grappling with rising living costs.

Explaining the rationale behind the proposed adjustment, the ministry noted that the cost of administering public examinations has risen significantly over the years, while examination fees have remained largely unchanged.

According to the ministry, increasing operational expenses in areas such as logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services have continued to place considerable financial pressure on examination bodies.

Despite these challenges, the government said the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that implementation of the proposal be suspended pending wider consultations with stakeholders.

"The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government's commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking," the ministry stated.

The ministry stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until consultations have been concluded and a final decision reached. It disclosed that the consultation process would involve key stakeholders, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), state ministries of education, public and private school proprietors, school administrators, parents' associations, organised labour, education experts and other relevant partners.

According to the ministry, the consultations are intended to ensure that any future decision reflects the realities facing examination bodies while also protecting the interests of students and their families.

The Federal Government reaffirmed that students' welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to its education reform agenda.

It added that Nigerians would be kept fully informed throughout the consultation process and assured the public that any eventual decision on examination fees would be guided by transparency, fairness and the overall public interest.