The Nigerian government has suspended a controversial plan to nearly double registration fees for final-year secondary school examinations following widespread public anger.
The Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn a directive that would have seen uniform fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) jump from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 (£20; $26) starting in 2027.
The proposed 82% hike had drawn sharp criticism from parents, the National Association of Nigerian Students, and prominent opposition figure and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade, officials confirmed that the initial approval letter, dated 18 June 2026, had been rescinded to allow for “broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders”.
The Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, ordered the freeze to ensure that government policies remain responsive to the public interest, the statement added.
The government had initially defended the sharp price increase, arguing that exam registration fees had remained stagnant for several years despite severe inflationary pressures.
Aviation, security, printing, and the technology required to prevent cheating and maintain the credibility of the national examinations have all become significantly more expensive, according to the ministry’s Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim, who originally conveyed the approval following a request from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The ministry stated that no fee changes will take effect until extensive discussions are held with state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, and organized labor.
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