Nigeria hikes exam fees to N50,000 for WAEC, NECO from 2027

The Nigerian federal government has sanctioned a significant hike in examination registration fees, with both the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) set to charge 50,000 Nigerian Naira per candidate from 2027. This marks a substantial increase from the current fees of 30,000 Naira for NECO and 27,000 Naira for WAEC.

The approval, conveyed in a memo dated June 18, 2026, and signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education, directs both examination bodies to adopt a uniform fee. The directive follows a meeting on March 31, 2026, where the need for an upward review was discussed.

This development is anticipated to exacerbate the financial burden on state governments that subsidize examination fees for their students. Furthermore, parents are voicing concerns that the increased cost could prevent many candidates from registering for the crucial examinations, particularly in states where government sponsorship is not provided. For example, in Lagos State, the government covers WAEC fees, but parents often pay for NECO themselves.

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Re: Upward review of registration fees for examinations conducted by NECO The West African Examinations Council has requested an upward review of the examination fees for the Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates, with effect from 2027. You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the Honourable Minister of Education on 31st March, 2026, where the need for upward review of examination fee was discussed, the Honourable Minister of Education directed that the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council should adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of WAEC and NECO SSCE. Consequently, I am directed to convey the Honourable Minister of Education’s approval of the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) only, as the new examination fee for candidates with effect from NECO SSCE internal 2027. You are to bring the content of this letter to all stakeholders. Please accept the Honourable Minister’s warm regards.