WAEC and NECO SSCE fees have been set at N50,000 per candidate from 2027. The rate is for school candidates.
- WAEC’s fee is N50,000, up from N27,000.
- NECO’s fee is N50,000, up from N30,000.
- The approved rate starts with the 2027 examinations.
- School candidates finishing secondary education are covered.
Read on for the approval details, fee comparison and likely effect on families.
The Federal Government has approved a uniform N50,000 registration fee for the WAEC and NECO Senior Secondary Certificate Examination for school candidates from 2027. The NECO SSCE internal fee is currently N30,000 and the WAEC fee is N27,000; each will be N50,000 under the approved rate.
The examinations are for internal candidates who are completing Senior Secondary School education. WAEC had finished its 2026 examination a few weeks before the report, while the 2026 NECO examination was ongoing.
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What Has the Federal Government Approved?
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has approved N50,000 as the uniform registration fee for WAEC and NECO SSCE school candidates from 2027.
A memo dated 18 June 2026 carries the approval. Mr Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, signed the memo on behalf of the Minister of Education.
Vanguard Newspaper reported that it had sighted the memo, which was addressed to the Registrar of NECO.
How Much Will WAEC and NECO Candidates Pay From 2027?
Both examination bodies will charge N50,000 per candidate under the new rate.
| Examination body | Fee before the review | Fee from 2027 | Candidate group stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAEC | N27,000 | N50,000 | School candidates |
| NECO | N30,000 | N50,000 | SSCE internal candidates |
The new amount creates a common fee for the two examination bodies. WAEC’s fee will move from N27,000, while NECO’s fee will move from N30,000.
Why Was a Uniform Fee Approved?
The memo states that WAEC requested an upward review of the examination fee for its Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates, with effect from 2027.
The approval followed this sequence:
- WAEC requested a fee review for the 2027 school examination.
- Examination bodies met with the Minister of Education on 31 March 2026.
- The meeting considered the need for an upward review of examination fees.
- The Minister directed WAEC and NECO to adopt one fee for their SSCE examinations.
- The Ministry approved N50,000 for NECO SSCE internal candidates from 2027 and asked NECO to inform stakeholders.
The memo also conveyed the Minister’s regards to the examination body.
Who Is Covered by the N50,000 Fee?
The approved fee covers candidates taking the SSCE through their schools as they complete Senior Secondary School education.
WAEC describes this group as school candidates. The memo refers to the NECO group as SSCE internal candidates.
The supplied approval gives no fee details for external or private candidates.
When Will the New WAEC and NECO Fee Start?
The N50,000 fee will start with the 2027 examinations. The approval letter specifically states that the new NECO SSCE internal fee will take effect from 2027, while WAEC requested its review for the same year.
The stated start date is 2027. The report places the 2026 WAEC examination before the new rate and describes the 2026 NECO examination as ongoing.
How Could the Fee Affect State Governments and Parents?
Some state governments pay examination fees for candidates and the higher amount may increase debts owed to WAEC and NECO by states that fund these registrations.
Some parents have also expressed concern that candidates may be unable to register in states where the government does not pay the examination fee. The concern is greater for families that must cover the full N50,000 cost per candidate.
Lagos State pays the WAEC SSCE fee for its candidates. Parents who can afford the NECO fee pay it for their children.
What Should Candidates, Parents and Schools Check?
Candidates and families may need to confirm the payment arrangement that applies before the 2027 registration period.
- The candidate’s status as a school or internal candidate
- Whether the state government pays the WAEC or NECO fee
- Which examination body the school will register the candidate with
- The amount communicated for the 2027 examination
NECO was directed to share the memo with all stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the WAEC Registration Fee N50,000 From 2027?
Yes. The approved uniform rate places the WAEC SSCE fee for school candidates at N50,000 from 2027, up from N27,000.
Is the NECO Registration Fee N50,000 From 2027?
Yes. The NECO SSCE internal fee will be N50,000 from 2027, up from N30,000.
Will WAEC and NECO Charge the Same Fee?
Yes. The Minister of Education directed both examination bodies to adopt a uniform SSCE fee and the approved amount is N50,000 per candidate.
Does the New Fee Apply to the 2026 Examinations?
The announced start date is 2027. WAEC had completed its 2026 examination a few weeks before the report, while NECO’s 2026 examination was ongoing.
Who Signed the Approval Memo?
Mr Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, signed the memo on behalf of the Minister of Education.
Does Lagos State Pay WAEC and NECO Fees?
Lagos State pays the WAEC SSCE fee for its candidates. Parents who can afford the NECO fee pay it for their children.