The Federal Ministry of Education has approved a rise in registration fees for the WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examinations to N50,000 per candidate, effective from the 2027 examination cycle. The new fee, confirmed in a letter dated June 18, 2026, and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education, represents an 82 per cent increase from the current N27,500. This decision follows a meeting on March 31, 2026, between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where a uniform fee for WAEC and NECO SSCE was directed.
Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, confirmed the approval, stating she had spoken with the responsible director. The ministry cited rising operational costs—including logistics, printing, security, supervision and technology deployment—as reasons for the increase. No detailed breakdown of the cost analysis was provided. The Registrar of NECO has been directed to notify all relevant stakeholders ahead of implementation.
Education stakeholders have raised alarm over the potential impact on access to education. Adaramoye Micheal Lenin, National Mobilisation Officer of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), called the move counterproductive, saying it contradicts government efforts to improve school access. Dorothy Okwuenu, President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, described the hike as unfortunate and warned it could disrupt retention under the proposed 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. Dr Mary Chinwuba, Executive Director of Chalcedony Prime School, Abuja, said the increase intensifies concerns about equity and affordability in the education system.
The Minister of Education approved a uniform exam fee hike to N50,000 while previously advocating for accessible education. The same government pushing a 12-year uninterrupted schooling policy has introduced a fee that may force more children out of school. Schools in low-income areas and state-sponsored candidates now face higher financial strain without new support measures. The increase benefits examination bodies financially but places the burden of operational costs on struggling families.
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