Nigeria hikes exam fees to N50,000 per candidate from 2027

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education has approved a significant increase in examination fees for both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO). Starting in 2027, candidates will be required to pay N50,000 to register for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

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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 examination fees for Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates with effect from 2027.

This substantial hike will see NECO's internal SSCE fee rise from N30,000 to N50,000, while WAEC's fee will also increase to the same amount from its current N27,000. The approval was conveyed in a memo dated June 18, 2026, signed by Mr. Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

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The increment drew the ire of National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and former vice president and presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, who described it as further punishment on already struggling parents and guardians.

The decision has already sparked backlash from key educational stakeholders. The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have strongly condemned the increase. A former vice president and presidential candidate also criticized the move, labeling it as an additional burden on parents already facing financial difficulties.

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The increase would see NECO SSCE internal examination fee jumping from N30,000 per candidate to N50,000, while that of WAEC would jump to the same amount from N27,000.

Further concerns have been voiced regarding the potential impact on state governments that pay examination fees for their students. There are also fears that many candidates may be unable to register for the exams in states where the government does not cover the costs. This development could exacerbate existing financial strains on families and educational systems across the country.

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Consequently, I am directed to convey the 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.