The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced sweeping new measures aimed at curbing examination malpractice in the conduct of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, beginning from the 2026 examination year. The policy shift signals a renewed commitment by the government to restore integrity, fairness, and public confidence in Nigeria’s secondary school examination system.
For decades, examination malpractice has remained one of the biggest challenges confronting the Nigerian education sector. Despite several reforms, cases of question leakage, impersonation, collusion, and illegal assistance during examinations have continued to undermine the credibility of certificates issued by examination bodies. The latest measures introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education are therefore being described as one of the most decisive interventions in recent years.
A Strong Signal From Government
The new anti-malpractice framework was unveiled by the Minister of Education, alongside key stakeholders in the education sector. According to the ministry, the reforms are designed to close loopholes that have been exploited over time by dishonest candidates, schools, and even some examination officials.
The government emphasized that allowing malpractice to thrive not only damages the education system but also produces graduates who are ill-prepared for higher education and the labour market. By tightening examination processes, the authorities hope to promote merit, hard work, and genuine academic excellence.
Introduction of Question Randomisation
One of the most significant changes set to take effect from 2026 is the introduction of question randomisation and serialisation. Under this system, candidates sitting in the same examination hall will receive question papers with the same content but arranged in different sequences.
This means that even students seated next to each other will not have questions appearing in the same order. The measure is expected to drastically reduce copying and collaboration during exams, which have been common features in many centres.
Education experts have described this approach as a major step forward, noting that similar systems are already in use in other countries and in computer-based testing environments.
Stricter Control of Student Transfers
Another major focus of the reform is the tightening of rules governing student transfers, especially into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3). In the past, last-minute transfers of students to certain schools—often perceived as “miracle centres”—have been linked to widespread malpractice.
From 2026, the Federal Government says transfers into SS3 will be closely monitored and regulated. Schools that fail to comply with approved guidelines risk sanctions, including disqualification from hosting WAEC or NECO examinations.
This move is expected to discourage the practice of moving candidates shortly before examinations solely to gain unfair advantages.
New Continuous Assessment Framework
The government has also approved a nationally standardised Continuous Assessment (CA) framework to improve consistency and transparency in students’ academic records. Under the new system, continuous assessments will follow fixed timelines across the country:
- First Term CA: January
- Second Term CA: April
- Third Term CA: August
These assessments will contribute to students’ final examination records and will be monitored more closely by examination bodies. By standardising CA schedules, the government aims to reduce manipulation of scores and ensure that assessments truly reflect students’ performance over time.
Unique Learner Identification System
In a move aimed at strengthening accountability, the Federal Government plans to introduce unique examination learner identification numbers for candidates. Each student will be assigned a unique ID that tracks them throughout the examination process.
This system is expected to help curb impersonation, multiple registrations, and other forms of identity-related fraud. With better data tracking, examination bodies will be able to detect irregularities more easily and take swift action when violations occur.
Increased Oversight and Collaboration
Beyond technical reforms, the government stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. WAEC, NECO, state ministries of education, school owners, principals, teachers, and security agencies will all play active roles in enforcing the new measures.
Monitoring teams will be strengthened, and examination centres found guilty of aiding malpractice may face suspension or permanent delisting. Officials involved in fraudulent practices will also be sanctioned in line with existing laws.
According to the Ministry of Education, tackling examination malpractice requires collective responsibility, not just policies on paper.
Why These Reforms Matter
The implications of these reforms go beyond examination halls. When malpractice becomes widespread, it devalues certificates, weakens trust in the education system, and creates long-term problems for national development. Employers and higher institutions often question the competence of graduates, partly due to concerns about how their results were obtained.
By enforcing stricter rules, the government hopes to raise the standard of education and ensure that Nigerian certificates command respect both locally and internationally.
Parents and students have also welcomed the announcement, though many acknowledge that effective implementation will be the true test. Past reforms have sometimes failed due to poor enforcement, corruption, or lack of political will.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the 2026 examination year approaches, schools are being advised to begin preparing for the changes. Students are also encouraged to focus more on studying rather than relying on shortcuts that may no longer work under the new system.
The Federal Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice and warned that anyone caught undermining the reforms will face serious consequences.
If successfully implemented, these measures could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s education sector—one where honesty, discipline, and hard work once again become the foundation of academic success.
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