Picnews
The Federal Government has approved a new examination registration fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), effective from the 2027 examination cycle.
The approval was contained in a statement dated June 18 and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education. According to the ministry, the decision followed a request by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for an upward review of the examination fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination beginning in 2027.
The new fee represents a significant increase from the current N27,500 registration charge, amounting to an 82 per cent hike.
The ministry explained that the decision aligns with the Federal Government’s directive for both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform examination fee for their Senior School Certificate Examinations.
According to the statement, the directive emanated from a meeting of examination bodies held with the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, during which the need to review examination fees was extensively discussed.
“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 their SSCE examinations.
“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 statement read.
The ministry further directed that the decision be communicated to all relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation ahead of the 2027 examination cycle.
Confirming the development, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, told TheCable that the Federal Government had indeed approved the upward review of the examination fees.
“I can confirm the approval of an upward review of the examination fees. I spoke with the director in charge a few minutes ago, and he confirmed that the approval has been granted,” she said.
