The Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 registration fee for National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 2027 has attracted mixed reactions from education stakeholders.

In separate interviews on Sunday in Abuja, some of the stakeholders described the increase as excessive and unaffordable, warning it could worsen financial pressure on families and students.

Others urged the government to review the decision, introduce subsidies for vulnerable candidates, and ensure any fee adjustment reflects prevailing economic realities and wider stakeholder consultations.

However, some stakeholders supported the review, arguing that improved funding could strengthen certificate verification, digital infrastructure and service delivery if implemented with transparency and affordability safeguards.

The approval was conveyed by the Federal Ministry of Education in a memo dated June 18, 2026, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim.

The memo was signed on behalf of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, following a directive to harmonise WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate Examination registration fees.

Under the approval, NECO’s SSCE internal fee will rise from N30,000 to N50,000, while WAEC’s will increase from N27,000 to N50,000 from 2027.

Speaking, an educationist, Beatrice Oke, described the increase as excessive despite acknowledging rising operational and logistics costs.

Ms Oke said, “The percentage increase is too high, although we expected a review after some time due to rising logistics costs.

“However, many average Nigerians may not afford the new fees, and this could force some students out of school.”

Ms Oke urged the government to review the increase or introduce measures to cushion its impact on low-income households.

She said affordable examination fees were vital to sustaining access to education and preventing more children from dropping out of school.

She also urged governments at all levels to expand subsidies and intervention programmes for vulnerable students to guarantee equitable access to education.

A private school owner, Funmilayo Soyoye, also described the increase as excessive.

She said many graduates seeking employment or admission for further studies might struggle to pay the new fee.

“Certificate verification is a mandatory requirement for many academic and employment processes and should remain affordable. The government should consider the economic realities facing Nigerians before approving such a sharp increase.

“This policy may discourage many young people from pursuing opportunities that require certificate verification,” she said.

Another school owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the government to justify the increase.

The proprietor said any fee review should be transparent and reflect improvements in service delivery.

According to the school owner, certificate verification should become faster, more efficient and more accessible.

A parent, Abdulfatai Ibrahim, appealed to the government to rescind the decision in the interest of students and job seekers.

He said the increase would worsen hardship for families already grappling with rising education costs.

Mr Ibrahim urged the authorities to engage stakeholders and adopt a more moderate pricing structure.

However, an education consultant, Olamide Ogunkoya, said the review might be justified if it strengthened certificate verification and digital infrastructure.

She said investment in secure verification systems would curb certificate fraud and enhance the credibility of Nigerian examination bodies.

Ms Ogunkoya urged the government to balance cost recovery with citizens’ access to essential public services.

She also called for wider consultations before implementing major education policies, stressing that affordability and accessibility should remain central to reforms.

The memo on the increase, directed to the Registrar, NECO, read:

“Re: Upward review of registration fees for examinations conducted by NECO. 

“The West African Examinations Council has requested an upward review of the examination fees for the Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates, with effect from 2027.

“You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fee was discussed, the Honourable Minister of Education directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of the SSCE.

“Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) only, as the new examination fee for candidates with effect from NECO SSCE internal 2027. You are to bring the content of this letter to all stakeholders. Please accept the Honourable Minister’s warm regards.”

(NAN)