THE Federal Government has approved N50,000 as the new examination fee for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) for secondary school candidates beginning from 2027.
News Point Nigeria reports that the approval followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the fee for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for candidates from 2027.
The development was contained in a statement dated June 18 and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education.
The current registration fee stands at N27,500, meaning that the newly approved charge represents an increase of about 82 per cent.
According to Ibrahim, the decision was reached following a meeting between examination bodies and the Minister of Education held on March 31, 2026, during which the need to review examination fees was discussed.
He explained that the minister directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee structure for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate Examinations.
“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 WAEC and NECO SSCE,” the statement read.
“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 ministry further directed that the decision be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Confirming the development to this newspaper on Saturday, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, said the government had 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 said the approval was done,” Folasade said.
