The Federal Government has suspended the proposed increase in registration fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

The Federal Ministry of Education announced that it had withdrawn its earlier directive on the proposed fee adjustment to allow for a comprehensive review and wider consultation with relevant stakeholders.

According to the ministry, the proposed increase was prompted by rising operational costs associated with conducting credible national examinations, including logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology deployment and quality assurance.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, directed that the proposal be placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.

The ministry assured Nigerians that the proposed fee increase will not take effect pending the conclusion of the review and consultation process, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting students’ welfare and ensuring equitable access to quality education.