The Federal Government has suspended a planned hike in WAEC and NECO examination fees following public backlash, the Ministry of Education announced on Monday.
The ministry withdrew a June 18 memo that had approved a uniform ₦50,000 registration fee for both exams from 2027, up from WAEC’s ₦27,000 and NECO’s ₦30,000, increases of roughly 67% to 82%. Education Minister Tunji Alausa directed the proposal be placed on hold “in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.”
The fee harmonisation had followed a March 31 meeting between the minister and examination bodies, but drew sharp criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the National Association of Nigerian Students, and other stakeholders, who warned it would deepen the financial burden on Nigerian families.
The ministry said it will now consult examination bodies, state education ministries, school administrators, parents’ associations and labour groups before any final decision, insisting no fee change will take effect until that process concludes. Officials cited rising logistics, security and technology costs as the reform’s original rationale.
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