The Federal Government has approved a higher registration fee for WAEC and NECO examinations. The new charge takes effect in 2027 and will require parents to pay significantly more for each candidate.
IKEJA, LAGOS — The Federal Government has approved a new registration fee of ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations from 2027. The approval follows a review of examination charges after discussions between the Federal Ministry of Education and examination bodies, according to an official statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education.
Why This Happened
According to the statement dated June 18, WAEC requested an upward review of the Senior School Certificate Examination registration fee. The ministry said the request formed part of discussions held during a meeting on March 31, 2026, between the Minister of Education and examination bodies.
Adeniji Ibrahim said the minister also directed WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform registration fee for their Senior School Certificate Examinations. The new charge of ₦50,000 replaces the previous fee of ₦27,500, representing an increase of about 82 percent.
What They Said
According to the statement signed by Ibrahim, the decision followed consultations with examination bodies over the rising cost of conducting the examinations.
The statement said the Minister of Education approved a uniform examination fee for both WAEC and NECO, with implementation scheduled to begin in 2027.
Background to the Story
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination taken by thousands of secondary school students across Nigeria each year.
The examinations remain one of the key requirements for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
What This Means for Nigeria
The development means families preparing candidates for WAEC and NECO examinations will face higher education costs from 2027. Schools, parents and guardians may also need to adjust their financial plans ahead of the implementation date. The approval has already attracted criticism from some students and opposition figures, while education stakeholders are expected to continue discussions on the impact of the new fee.
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