NECO increase in the registration fee for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

[Patrick Togun]

NECO has announced an increase in the registration fee for the 2027 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Increasing the NECO registration fee to ₦50,000 would place a significant financial burden on parents and guardians who are already grappling with the country's current economic challenges.

Education should be made more accessible, not more expensive. A sharp increase in examination fees could deny many hardworking and deserving students the opportunity to sit for this vital examination.

We respectfully urge the relevant authorities to review this decision and adopt a more affordable fee that reflects the economic realities faced by the average Nigerian family.

 

[Olufemi Lawrence]

NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (NECO)
REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT
INTERNAL MEMO

From: Director
To: State Coordinators
Date: 8th July, 2026

SUBJECT: 2027 NECO EXAMINATIONS - REVIEW OF REGISTRATION FEES

I have been directed to bring to your notice that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education has approved an 85% upward review of registration fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) to Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00) only, per candidate with effect from year 2027 Academic Session. Consequently, this percentage increase shall apply to all other NECO examinations.

Meanwhile, kindly print out the attached letters on a conqueror paper using a coloured printer and deliver to your respective State’s Honourable Commissioner for Education tomorrow 10th July 2026 and collect an acknowledged copy which is to be scanned and sent to Director, Registration Department.

Thank you.

Dr. Charles E. Udoh
For: Registrar/CE

School owners, parents, and guardians are to take note of the information above strictly.

~ Official Sypron

 

[Mrs Vivian Bart]

FG Increases WAEC, NECO Examination Fee From N27,500 to N50,000 for 2027

The Federal Government has approved a new examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), with the new rate taking effect from 2027.

The approval was contained in a June 18 statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education. It followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the SSCE registration fee.

The new fee represents an 82% increase from the current N27,500 charged per candidate.

According to Ibrahim, the decision was reached after a March 31, 2026 meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed. He said the minister also directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform examination fee.

“You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the honourable minister of education on 31 March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fees was discussed, the honourable minister directed that WAEC and NECO should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.

It added, “Consequently, I am directed to convey the honourable minister of education’s approval of the sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027.”

The ministry said the directive should be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

 

[Asake Abbey]

*FG Suspends Planned WAEC, NECO Fee Hike*


The Federal Government has suspended its proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council Senior School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE), following public concerns over the move.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government announced the withdrawal of a June 18, 2026 letter that had communicated the proposed adjustment in examination fees.

According to the statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the decision was taken to allow for broader consultations and a fresh review of the proposal before any final determination is made.

“The Federal Ministry of Education announced that the letter conveying the proposed fee adjustment, dated 18 June 2026, has been withdrawn to allow for a comprehensive review and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders before a final decision is taken,” the statement read.

The proposed increase would have raised the registration fee for both WAEC and NECO examinations from N27,500 to N50,000 beginning in 2027, representing an 82 per cent increase.

The ministry explained that the planned review was prompted by the rising cost of conducting public examinations across the country. It noted that examination fees have remained largely unchanged for years despite significant increases in operational expenses.

According to the ministry, growing costs in areas such as logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance and other critical services have continued to put pressure on examination bodies.

However, it said the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, had directed that implementation of the proposal be halted pending consultations.

“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, has directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking,” the statement said.

The ministry stressed that no adjustment to examination fees would take effect until discussions with stakeholders are concluded.

It disclosed that consultations would involve examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organised labour, education stakeholders and other relevant partners.

The statement added that the government remains committed to ensuring that policies affecting students and their families are subjected to adequate scrutiny and reflect public interest.

Reaffirming its position, the ministry said students’ welfare, equitable access to quality education and responsible policymaking remain central to the Federal Government’s education agenda.

It also pledged to keep Nigerians informed throughout the consultation process before any decision is reached on the proposed fee review.