The Federal Government has approved a uniform examination fee of ₦50,000 for candidates sitting the Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council, effective from the 2027 examination cycle.

The approval was conveyed in an official circular dated 18 June 2026, signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education.

The new fee represents an increase of ₦22,500 over the previous WAEC rate of ₦27,500, translating to an 82% rise. For NECO candidates, the fee moves from ₦30,000 to N50,000. Both bodies will now operate under a single, unified fee structure for their respective SSCE examinations.

Ibrahim noted in the circular that the decision followed a formal request by WAEC for an upward review, as well as subsequent deliberations at a meeting between examination bodies and the Minister of Education on 31 March 2026.

The circular read in part: "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 (₦50,000.00) only, as the new examination fee per candidate, with effect from NECO SSCE (Internal), 2027." The ministry directed that the circular's contents be communicated to all relevant stakeholders before implementation.

Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, confirmed the development, stating: "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."

The increase is expected to place additional financial pressure on households and state governments, several of which currently fund examination registration for public school students. In Lagos State, the government covers WAEC fees for eligible pupils in public schools, while parents largely bear the cost of NECO registration. Education stakeholders have raised concerns that the higher fee could affect enrolment figures if families are unable to absorb the additional cost.