The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, following widespread public concerns and stakeholder reactions.

The decision was announced by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

According to the ministry, the letter dated June 18, 2026, which communicated the proposed fee adjustment, has been withdrawn to allow for broader consultations and a comprehensive review before any final decision is made.

The ministry explained that the proposed fee review was necessitated by the rising cost of conducting national examinations, including expenses related to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, and quality assurance. It noted that examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing operational costs.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold, emphasizing the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policymaking.

“The proposal has been suspended to enable wider consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is reached,” the ministry stated.

The government said consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour, and other key stakeholders in the education sector.

The suspension follows public criticism of the proposed increase, which would have raised the examination fee from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for candidates beginning in 2027—an increase of about 82 percent.

The proposed hike had earlier drawn opposition from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who argued that the increase would place additional financial burdens on students and their families.

The Ministry of Education reassured Nigerians that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policymaking remain top priorities, pledging to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.

The suspension means the proposed fee increase will not take effect until consultations are concluded and a final decision is announced by the Federal Government.