The Federal Government has officially suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The planned hike, which would have raised fees from N27,500 to N50,000, faced intense public backlash from parents, advocacy groups, and stakeholders who argued that it would create an unfair financial burden and limit educational access.

In response to the outcry, the Ministry of Education has withdrawn its previous circular and announced plans for broader consultations with relevant stakeholders, including school proprietors, parents’ associations, and organized labor. Former Governor Peter Obi welcomed the suspension as a victory for the public, asserting that such fees should not have been proposed during a period of economic hardship. The government has pledged that any future decisions will be transparent and aimed at safeguarding equitable access to education.