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JAMB, WAEC slash verification fee to ₦4,000 for 2026 admissions

Published by YuToday Staff

0 views · 4 hours ago · 3:52 read · September 2, 2026

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have jointly announced a one-time fee of ₦4,000 for the verification of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and other O’Level results. This change aims to streamline the 2026/2027 admission process for Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions, addressing long-standing inefficiencies in result verification.

Key takeaways

A single ₦4,000 fee replaces multiple verification charges for WASSCE results.
The change aims to reduce financial barriers for students applying to Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Verified results will be directly accessible to universities and polytechnics, streamlining admissions.
The new system is expected to minimize fraud and speed up the admission process.

Why the new verification fee matters for students

For years, students applying to Nigerian tertiary institutions faced multiple verification fees, often paying separately for JAMB and WAEC processes. The introduction of a single ₦4,000 fee reduces financial strain on applicants, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. The fee covers the verification of WASSCE results, which are critical for admission into universities and polytechnics. By consolidating this cost, JAMB and WAEC are removing a significant barrier to higher education access. The timing aligns with the peak of the 2026/2027 admission cycle, ensuring students can focus on their applications without worrying about repeated payments.

How the ₦4,000 fee will be implemented

The ₦4,000 fee is a one-time payment required during the tertiary admission process. Students will pay this fee when submitting their WASSCE results for verification, either through JAMB’s portal or WAEC’s designated channels. The fee replaces multiple verification charges that were previously levied by both organizations. Institutions will receive verified results directly from WAEC or JAMB, eliminating the need for students to handle physical certificates for verification. This digital-first approach aims to reduce fraud and ensure the authenticity of results. The fee structure is uniform across all states in Nigeria, ensuring consistency for applicants nationwide.

Impact on tertiary institutions and admission processes

Tertiary institutions in Nigeria will benefit from a more efficient admission process, as verified results will be readily available through JAMB and WAEC’s systems. This reduces the administrative burden on universities and polytechnics, which previously had to manually verify results submitted by applicants. The new system also minimizes the risk of fraudulent credentials, as all verifications are centralized and authenticated by the two bodies. Institutions can now focus on evaluating candidates based on merit rather than spending resources on result verification. The change is expected to speed up the admission timeline, allowing students to receive offers sooner.

Reactions from student bodies and education stakeholders

Student advocacy groups have welcomed the reduction in verification fees, describing it as a step toward making higher education more accessible. Some stakeholders, however, have raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the fee, particularly if additional costs are introduced later. Education analysts note that while the ₦4,000 fee is a positive change, broader reforms are needed to address other financial barriers in Nigeria’s education system. The announcement has also sparked discussions about whether similar fee structures could be adopted for other examinations, such as the National Examination Council (NECO). Overall, the reaction has been cautiously optimistic, with many hoping this is the first of several reforms.

Comparing Nigeria’s verification fees with other African nations

Nigeria’s ₦4,000 fee for WASSCE result verification is lower than fees charged in some other African countries for similar services. For example, Kenya’s Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) charges a higher fee for verification of secondary school certificates, while South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has a tiered system based on the number of results verified. In Ghana, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Ghana branch also imposes a fee, though the exact amount varies. Nigeria’s move to standardize and reduce the fee aligns it more closely with regional efforts to make education more affordable. This could position Nigeria as a leader in simplifying tertiary admission processes in West Africa.

What happens next

The introduction of the ₦4,000 verification fee marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s tertiary admission process. In the coming months, JAMB and WAEC are expected to provide detailed guidelines on payment procedures and timelines for institutions. Students are advised to monitor official announcements to avoid missing deadlines. Meanwhile, education stakeholders will likely push for further reforms to address other financial and administrative challenges in the sector. The success of this initiative could set a precedent for similar changes across the region.