FG suspends review of WAEC, NECO registration fees amid backlash

The federal government on Monday suspended the proposed fee hike for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination amid public backlash.

A statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, spokesperson for the education ministry, said, “The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken.

“The ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education.”

Many Nigerians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, decried the hike, citing President Bola Tinubu’s harsh economic policies.

According to the statement, the proposed review was informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.

“The current examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several 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 ministry noted.

It said the government would “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.