Nigerian students spared hefty exam fees as FG backs down on hike plan

Following extensive public outcry and concerns from various stakeholders, the Federal Government has announced the suspension of the planned increment in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination.

A statement released yesterday by the Federal Ministry of Education confirmed the withdrawal of the circular detailing the proposed fee adjustment, originally issued on June 18, 2026. This move is intended to facilitate more comprehensive consultations with pertinent stakeholders before a definitive resolution is reached.

The initial proposal would have seen examination fees rise significantly from N27,500 to N50,000. This potential hike had generated considerable apprehension among parents, educational advocates, and other concerned parties, who feared its detrimental effect on access to secondary education, particularly for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to Folasade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the decision to halt the review aligns with the Federal Government’s dedication to inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based policy formulation.

Reacting to the development, former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, expressed his satisfaction with the Federal Government’s decision. He hailed the suspension as a significant triumph for Nigerian parents, students, and various civil society organizations. In a statement disseminated by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stated that the reversal validated his earlier caution that increasing examination fees would exacerbate educational disparities and deny numerous indigent students opportunities for higher education.

While commending the government for suspending the contentious proposal, Atiku, however, raised questions about the administration’s tendency to await widespread public criticism before rescinding controversial policies. He argued that governments should engage in thorough consultations with stakeholders prior to introducing major policies, rather than being compelled to reverse decisions due to public opposition. The former Vice President further asserted that the proposed fee increase would have placed an undue financial burden on families already struggling with inflation, escalating transportation costs, rising electricity tariffs, and diminished purchasing power.

Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, characterized the suspension of the fee hike as a victory for all Nigerians. In a post shared on his X account, Peter Obi remarked: “I received the welcome news of the suspension of the newly introduced examination fees with relief. This is a victory for the Nigerian people. While I commend the authorities for listening to the widespread public outcry and suspending the policy, it must be said that the fee was an unnecessary burden that should never have been introduced at this time of great hardship, when we should be doing everything possible to invest in basic education and reduce the millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria.”