Nigerians Face Higher IELTS Fees as British Council Implements Second Hike in Five Months

The British Council in Nigeria has announced a substantial increase in the fees for the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. The new pricing, effective for registrations on or after February 1, 2024, reveals a 29% surge from the previous fee of N107,500.

The British Council, in a public notice on its website, cited the rise in costs associated with conducting the examination as the primary reason for this fee adjustment. The updated price list includes IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules at ₦139,000, IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules at ₦134,000, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at ₦149,000, Life Skills at ₦130,000, and One Skill Retake (O.S.R) at ₦87,570.

This marks the second increase in IELTS fees for Nigerians within a five-month period. In September of the preceding year, the British Council elevated the cost from approximately N90,000 to N107,500, asserting the necessity of these adjustments to maintain the high standards of testing experience.

The recent hike has sparked concerns and discussions, with some questioning the rationale behind Nigerian citizens, who are native English speakers, being required to undertake the IELTS examination. As the new fees take effect, the British Council emphasizes that the adjustments are crucial to sustaining a wide range of services and comprehensive support to aid individuals in achieving their language proficiency goals.