The British Council in Nigeria has announced a 29% increase in the fee for the International English Language Testing System examinations, effective February 1, 2024.
Nigerians will now pay N139,000 for the Computer Academic and General Training Modules, up from the current fee of N107,500.
This marks the second increment in the past five months, with the previous increase implemented in September 2023, when the fee rose from between N80,000 to N90,000 to the current N107,500.
The British Council attributed the fee hike to the rising costs associated with delivering the exams in Nigeria.
In a statement on its website, the Council explained, “The change in price is associated with the increased costs in 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.”
IELTS is a widely recognized language proficiency test globally, often required for educational opportunities, employment, or visa approvals in English-speaking countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a collaborative effort between the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment, and IDP Education Australia.
As Nigerians explore opportunities abroad, the IELTS exam has become a crucial requirement for visa applications, contributing to the growing costs associated with the ‘japa’ trend – a term used to describe the trend of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
The continuous rise in fees, coupled with the devaluation of the Nigerian currency, poses additional financial challenges for individuals aspiring to travel abroad.
The British Council expressed gratitude to test-takers for choosing their services despite the fee adjustments.
