Why we approve 82% increase in WAEC, NECO Examination Fees – FG

The Federal Government has approved a significant increase in registration fees for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Candidates will now pay a uniform fee of ₦50,000 per candidate starting from the 2027 examination cycle.

The new rate represents an approximately 82% increase from the previous fee of around ₦27,500 (with WAEC previously at about ₦27,000 and NECO at ₦30,000), marking a substantial rise of roughly ₦22,500 for many candidates.

The decision was conveyed in an official memo dated June 18, 2026, signed by Mr. Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

It followed a request from WAEC for a review and discussions at a meeting of examination bodies with the Minister on March 31, 2026. The ministry directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee structure to streamline operations.

The memo explicitly states: “Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”

Stakeholders have been instructed to communicate the change widely.

The adjustment is attributed to rising operational costs for conducting public examinations, including logistics, security, printing, technology deployment, and personnel expenses as officials aim to ensure the sustainability and quality of the examination process.

The announcement has elicited mixed reactions across Nigeria. Some stakeholders acknowledge the need to address inflation and increased costs, while others, including advocacy groups and parents, have expressed concerns about the burden on families amid current economic challenges.

Calls for the government to reconsider or provide subsidies for indigent students have begun to emerge.

The Ministry of Education has confirmed the approval, with the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, stating that the upward review has been finalized.

This policy will apply to internal (school) candidates nationwide.

External candidates and other examination categories may be affected differently or at a later date. Parents, students, and school administrators are advised to prepare for the new rates in the upcoming cycles.

The development comes as education remains a critical sector, with ongoing debates about accessibility and affordability in Nigeria.