Federal Government Increases Senior Secondary School Examination Fees to N50,000
The Federal Government has approved an increase in the registration fees for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), raising the cost to N50,000 per candidate with effect from 2027.
The new policy introduces a uniform fee structure for both examination bodies, replacing the previous rates of about N27,000 for WAEC and N30,000 for NECO. The decision followed consultations between the Federal Ministry of Education and examination authorities on the need to review fees in line with current operational and economic conditions.
Officials indicated that the adjustment is aimed at harmonizing charges across the two bodies and ensuring the sustainability of examination processes. The directive was formally communicated to relevant stakeholders for implementation ahead of the 2027 examination cycle.
The increase has, however, generated mixed reactions among stakeholders in the education sector. Parent groups and education advocates have expressed concern over the potential financial burden on households, warning that the higher fees could make it difficult for some students to register for the examinations.
There are also concerns that the development may place additional pressure on state governments that subsidize examination fees for candidates, potentially increasing outstanding obligations to the examination bodies.
While the Nigeria Union of Teachers noted that decisions on acceptance of such policies largely rest with parents and policymakers, broader discussions have continued regarding the affordability of education.
Some public commentators have cautioned that rising costs at the secondary school level could contribute to higher numbers of out-of-school children if not carefully managed.
Education stakeholders have therefore called for further engagement with the government to explore options that would maintain access to examinations while addressing the financial needs of the examination bodies.
