82% WAEC and NECO Fee Hike to ₦50,000 Sparks Dropout Fears

The federal Ministry of Education has approved an increase in WAEC and NECO Senior School Certificate exam fees from ₦27,500 to ₦50,000 per candidate from 2027. The ministry cites rising costs of logistics, security and printing, but education experts warn the 82% jump will deepen financial strain on families already battling inflation and may push vulnerable students out of school. Leaders from the Education Rights Campaign, NAPPS and private school proprietors have condemned the hike, calling for an immediate reversal or support measures to protect low-income households. Even a leading presidential candidate has criticised the move as economically insensitive, emphasising that affordable education is essential to curb Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis.

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