The Nigerian government has made a U-turn on its earlier increment on fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
NEWSBITS reports that the government announced last week that the harmonized increment would take effect next year. It was immediately greeted with anger from Nigerians, with many wondering how a government that pays N70,000 minimum wage would charge N50,000 for secondary school examinations.
Consequently, the government has bowed to pressure and suspended the increment. This was contained in a statement by the director of press and public relations at the federal ministry of education, Boriowo Folasade, on Monday. Nigerian government said the suspension was to give room for review and further engagement with stakeholders on the fees review.
“The Ministry acknowledges the concerns and constructive feedback received from the public and appreciates the keen interest shown by Nigerians in matters relating to access to quality education.
“The proposed review was informed by the prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations. The current examination registration fees have remained largely unchanged for several years despite significant increases in operational costs, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment, quality assurance, and other essential services required to maintain the integrity and credibility of public examinations across the country.
“Nevertheless, the Honorable 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. This decision underscores the ministry’s determination to ensure that policies affecting millions of Nigerian students and their families are carefully considered, socially responsive, and reflect the collective interest of the nation.
“As part of the fresh review process, the ministry will further engage extensively with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors and administrators, parents’ associations, organized labor, education stakeholders, and other critical partners to ensure that any future decision is fair, sustainable, transparent, and responsive to prevailing realities while safeguarding access to education.
“Accordingly, the proposed review of examination registration fees will not take effect, as earlier communicated, pending the conclusion of the consultation process.
“The Federal Ministry of Education reassures Nigerians that the welfare of students, equitable access to quality education, and responsible policy decisions remain at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the education sector.
“The ministry appreciates the understanding, patience, and continued support of all stakeholders and remains committed to keeping the public fully informed throughout the consultation process,” the federal government stated.
Meanwhile, activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore has pledged to scrap the fees paid for WAEC and NECO if elected president. Sowore, who is the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, made the pledge while presenting what he described as his administration’s education blueprint for Nigeria if elected president in 2027, promising free education from nursery school to university level.
“No government under a #Sowore2027 administration will ask your child to pay WAEC, NECO, or any other public examination fee. Education will be free because knowledge is a right, not a privilege,” he pledged.
