The British Council in Nigeria has raised the fees for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations by 29%.
The revised charges are set to take effect from February 1, 2024, impacting applicants for both the Computer Academic and General Training Modules.
According to an official notice posted on the council’s website, individuals aspiring to undertake the IELTS examination must now pay a substantial sum of N139,000.
This marks the second time in just five months that the fees have been subject to an increase.
The British Council has attributed the latest adjustment to the escalating costs associated with administering the examinations.
The notice states, “The change in price is associated with the increased costs of the delivery of our exams. This will enable us to continue to offer a wide range of services and comprehensive support to enable you to achieve your goals.”
The new price list for various IELTS tests is as follows:
- IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦139,000
- IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦134,000
- UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): ₦149,000
- Life Skills: ₦130,000
- One Skill Retake (O.S.R): ₦87,570
This announcement comes on the heels of a previous increase in September 2023 when the council raised the fees from N80,000 to N90,000 to a new rate of N107,500.
The news of the successive fee hikes has sparked concerns and discussions among prospective test-takers, particularly regarding the affordability and accessibility of the IELTS examination, which is widely recognized globally as evidence of English language proficiency, especially for non-native speakers.
It remains to be seen how the changes will impact the number of applicants and their pursuit of academic and professional goals.
