Dailynewscover reports that the federal government says it 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 from 2027.

In a statement on June 18, issued by Adeniji Ibrahim, director of senior secondary education of the Ministry of Education, 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 initial registration fee was N27,500, which means the new increment comes with an 82% hike.

minister directed WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of their SSCE 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 reads.

“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 directed that the decision be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

Confirming the development to TheCable on Saturday, Folasade Boriowo, director of press and public relations of the ministry, said the government 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,” Folashade said.