A public policy think tank has called on the Federal Ministry of Education to publicly disclose the financial justification for its proposed increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), arguing that transparency is essential before any decision is taken.
The demand comes amid nationwide debate over the Federal Government’s proposal to raise the registration fee for both examinations from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 for the 2027 examination cycle, a move that was subsequently suspended following widespread criticism from parents, students, labour unions and other education stakeholders.
According to the group, the ministry should publish a detailed breakdown of the costs driving the proposed increase, including expenditure on logistics, security, printing of examination materials, technology, quality assurance and administrative operations.
It argued that making such information public would allow Nigerians to objectively assess whether the proposed adjustment is justified and ensure that education policies are based on accountability and evidence rather than speculation.
The organisation also urged the government to engage stakeholders in meaningful consultations before revisiting the proposal, noting that many Nigerian households are already grappling with rising living costs and economic hardship.
The Federal Ministry of Education had announced the proposed fee review in June, citing escalating operational expenses associated with conducting nationwide examinations. However, following strong public backlash, the ministry withdrew the proposal and suspended implementation pending broader consultations.
In a statement announcing the suspension, the ministry said the proposal was being placed on hold in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to “inclusive, transparent and evidence-based policymaking.” It added that no adjustment would take effect until consultations with examination bodies, state ministries of education, school proprietors, parents’ associations, organised labour and other stakeholders were concluded.
Education stakeholders have continued to express concern over the planned increase. The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), for instance, argued that while examination bodies face genuine operational challenges, education should not become a revenue-generating venture at the expense of struggling families. The union urged the government to consider the economic realities confronting parents before introducing additional financial burdens.
The think tank maintained that greater transparency would help build public confidence in any future decision and ensure that examination fees reflect verifiable operational costs rather than arbitrary increases.
It further stressed that preserving access to affordable secondary education should remain a priority, particularly at a time when many families are finding it increasingly difficult to meet basic educational expenses.
