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 concerns from education stakeholders and the public.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement on Monday, announced the withdrawal of the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment dated June 18, 2026, to allow for broader consultations with relevant stakeholders before any final decision is taken.

The proposed review, which would have raised the examination fee from N27,500 to N50,000, had triggered concerns among parents, education advocates and stakeholders over its possible impact on access to secondary education, particularly for students from low-income households.

In a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, it said the decision to suspend the review was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

According to the Ministry, the proposed adjustment was prompted by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services required to maintain examination standards.

It, however, acknowledged the concerns raised by Nigerians, stressing that policies affecting millions of students and families must be carefully considered and socially responsive.

“The proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry said Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, had directed that further engagements be held with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour and other education stakeholders.

The consultations, it added, would seek to ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable, transparent and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education.

“As part of the fresh review process, the Ministry will further 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,” the statement added.

The proposed fee increase had generated concerns amid Nigeria’s education challenges, including an estimated 15 million out-of-school children and millions of learners struggling to complete basic and secondary education due to economic hardship.

The Federal Government assured Nigerians that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain central to its education agenda.