The Federal Government’s decision to raise the registration fee for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations to N50,000 from 2027 has sparked sharp divisions among education stakeholders.
While critics say the new fee will deepen the financial burden on parents and limit access to education, supporters argue that the increase could improve examination administration and strengthen certificate verification if the additional revenue is effectively utilised.
The approval was conveyed in a June 18, 2026 memo issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
Under the new arrangement, the NECO SSCE Internal registration fee will increase from N30,000 to N50,000, while WAEC’s fee will rise from N27,000 to the same amount beginning with the 2027 examination cycle.
According to the ministry, the fee harmonisation followed deliberations at a meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on March 31, 2026, where the need to review examination charges was discussed.
The ministry directed NECO to notify relevant stakeholders of the new N50,000 registration fee, which will take effect from the 2027 SSCE.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, education expert Beatrice Oke described the increase as excessive, noting that although higher operational costs may justify a review, the magnitude of the increase could price many students out of the examination system.
She urged the federal government to reconsider the decision or introduce subsidies for indigent candidates to prevent a rise in school dropouts.
A private school proprietor, Funmilayo Soyoye, also opposed the policy, saying it failed to reflect the harsh economic realities facing many Nigerian families.
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She warned that the higher fee could affect graduates seeking admission or employment, where certificate verification remains a compulsory requirement.
Another school owner, who declined to be identified, said the government must ensure that the increase translates into tangible improvements in examination services, including faster processing and more reliable certificate verification.
A parent, Abdulfatai Ibrahim, appealed to the government to reverse the decision, arguing that families are already struggling with rising education expenses and inflation.
In contrast, education consultant Olamide Ogunkoya backed the review, saying improved funding could enhance digital infrastructure, reduce certificate fraud and boost the credibility of the country’s examination bodies.
She, however, stressed that affordability should remain a priority and urged the government to engage stakeholders before implementing major policy changes.