The Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination.

The suspension follows public concern over the likely impact of the proposed increase on students, parents and families already facing economic pressure.

In a statement signed on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said the letter conveying the proposed adjustment, dated June 18, 2026, had been withdrawn.

According to the ministry, the proposed review will not take effect pending the conclusion of a wider consultation process.

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

The ministry explained that the proposal was initially informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations across the country.

It noted that examination registration fees had remained largely unchanged for several years despite increasing costs linked to logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other services needed to protect the integrity of public examinations.

However, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, directed that the proposal be put on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry said it acknowledged the concerns and constructive feedback received from Nigerians, adding that the suspension reflects government’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of students and families are carefully considered, socially responsive and in the national interest.

The development comes days after reports of a leaked proposed fee increase triggered public debate over affordability and its possible effect on President Bola Tinubu’s education reform agenda.

Stakeholders had warned that higher examination fees could create additional barriers for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions, especially at a time the government says it is working to expand access to education.

The Tinubu administration has introduced initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, increased investment in technical education and free Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes in federal technical colleges.

Education stakeholders had argued that while WAEC and NECO may be facing rising operational costs, any increase in registration fees must be balanced against the need to keep education accessible to students from low-income families.

As part of the new review process, the ministry said it would engage examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other relevant stakeholders.

It said the aim is to ensure that any future decision on examination fees is fair, sustainable and transparent.

The ministry reassured Nigerians that students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policy decisions remain central to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector.

It also thanked stakeholders for their patience, understanding and continued support, promising to keep the public informed throughout the consultation process.

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