By The Metro 
The Federal Government has approved a new examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), with effect from 2027.
The new fee represents an increase of about 82 per cent from the current registration fee of N27,500.
The approval was contained in a statement dated June 18 and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adeniji Ibrahim.
According to the statement, the decision followed a meeting between examination bodies and the Minister of Education on March 31, 2026, where the need to review examination fees was discussed.
It said the minister directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform fee for the conduct of their Senior School Certificate 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.
“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 also directed that the decision be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
Confirming the development to The Cable on Saturday, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, said the Federal Government had 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,” she said.