FG Approves ₦50,000 WAEC, NECO Examination Fee for 2027 Candidates
The Federal Government has approved a new registration fee of ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), with effect from the 2027 examination cycle.The new fee represents an increase of about 82 percent from the previous WAEC registration fee of ₦27,500 and introduces a uniform examination fee for both WAEC and NECO.
The approval was conveyed in a letter issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Adeniji Ibrahim. According to the ministry, the decision followed discussions held between the Minister of Education and examination bodies on the need to review examination fees in view of rising operational costs.The ministry explained that the Minister of Education directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform registration fee for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate Examinations beginning with the 2027 academic session.Officials said the review was necessary to ensure the examination bodies continue to maintain the quality, credibility and smooth administration of public examinations across the country.The new policy means that candidates registering for either WAEC or NECO internal examinations from 2027 will pay ₦50,000. The increase is expected to affect millions of secondary school students nationwide.The announcement has generated mixed reactions among education stakeholders. While some acknowledge that inflation and increasing operational expenses may justify a review of examination fees, others have expressed concern about the financial burden the new rate could place on parents and guardians, particularly those with multiple children in secondary school.
Education advocates have urged the Federal Government and state governments to strengthen scholarship programmes and examination subsidies to ensure that no eligible student is denied access to education because of financial constraints.Some state governments currently pay WAEC registration fees for students in public secondary schools. Analysts believe the new fee could increase financial commitments for such states while also raising concerns for families in states where examination fees are borne entirely by parents.
Despite the concerns, the Federal Ministry of Education maintained that the adjustment is intended to support the sustainable administration of public examinations and improve service delivery by both WAEC and NECO.The new registration fee will take effect from the 2027 Senior School Certificate Examination, while candidates participating in the 2026 examinations will continue under the existing fee structure.
