FG Approves ₦50,000 Uniform Examination Fee for WAEC, NECO Candidates From 2027
Jul 12, 2026 63 views 2 min read Education

FG Approves ₦50,000 Uniform Examination Fee for WAEC, NECO Candidates From 2027

The Federal Government has approved a new ₦50,000 uniform examination fee for candidates sitting the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), with the new rate taking effect from the 2027 examination cycle. The decision represents a significant increase from the current ₦27,500 examination fee.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of examination fees. In a statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education, the ministry explained that the decision stemmed from discussions held during a meeting between examination bodies and the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the rising cost of conducting national examinations was reviewed.

As part of the new policy, both WAEC and NECO have been directed to adopt a uniform examination fee for their Senior School Certificate Examinations. The ministry said the approved ₦50,000 fee will take effect beginning with the 2027 NECO SSCE (Internal) and is expected to apply across both examination bodies going forward.

The increase amounts to an 82 percent rise over the current fee and is expected to generate mixed reactions from parents, students, and education stakeholders. While the government has not provided a detailed breakdown of the factors behind the new pricing, officials confirmed that the review was considered necessary following consultations with the examination bodies.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education also confirmed that the approval had been granted and directed that the decision be communicated to all relevant stakeholders to enable schools and candidates to prepare ahead of its implementation in 2027.

The announcement comes as Nigeria's education sector continues to undergo reforms aimed at improving examination administration and aligning assessment standards across the country's major examination bodies. However, the new fee is likely to spark debate over its impact on access to education, particularly for families already facing rising living costs.

Do you think the increase in WAEC and NECO examination fees is justified by the cost of running national examinations, or could it place an even heavier financial burden on parents and students?