FG to curb examination malpractice using new strategies
A file copy of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.
The ministry is introducing a special Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all students
The Federal Government has unveiled new strategies aimed at curbing examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council examinations beginning from 2026, as part of broader efforts to restore credibility and public trust in Nigeria’s education assessment system.
The measures were announced on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, in Abuja.
According to the ministers, the reforms are designed to strengthen transparency and tighten oversight across all stages of national examinations.
The announcement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the statement, the ministry was determined to address long-standing challenges associated with cheating and irregularities in public examinations.
The statement explained that the ministry would deploy technology-driven solutions and stricter administrative controls to safeguard the integrity of WAEC and NECO.
One of the major steps outlined is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation.
Although candidates will still answer the same questions, the order and structure of the questions will vary from one candidate to another.
The ministry noted that this approach would ensure that “every student writes a unique version of the examination,” thereby reducing opportunities for collusion in examination halls.
The government also restated its position on student transfers at the senior secondary level, warning that existing rules would now be strictly enforced.
The ministry recalled that the transfer of candidates at Senior Secondary School Three had already been prohibited through an official circular and stressed that the policy was intended to curb last-minute school changes linked to examination malpractice.
In another move to improve accountability, new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment have been developed and approved for immediate implementation.
Under the guidelines, all examination bodies are required to adhere to fixed submission timelines for assessment records.
The ministry stated, “All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, etc.) must strictly follow the standardised submission deadlines for each academic period: Submission Windows (First Term CA: January; Second Term CA: April; Third Term CA: August).
“These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.”
To further strengthen monitoring, the ministry is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates.
Officials said, “This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management.”
The statement further stated that the ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration would be carried out under closer supervision and in collaboration with examination bodies to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
“They emphasised that these measures reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and reflective of global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities.
“The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of these strategies and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide,” the statement concluded.
