By John Umeh
In a decisive move to restore integrity to Nigeria’s education system, the Federal Government has announced stringent new measures targeting examination malpractice. Effective immediately, any candidate caught engaging in malpractice during external examinations will face a three-year ban from all national examinations. Additionally, schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres found to be complicit in such malpractices will be derecognised and blacklisted from hosting further examinations.
This announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with major examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The policy comes in the wake of increasing concerns over the rampant spread of cheating and organized exam fraud in the country.
A Growing Epidemic of Malpractice
Over the past decade, examination malpractice has evolved from isolated incidents to a systemic crisis. Entire centres, particularly privately-run schools and unregulated CBT facilities, have been implicated in helping students cheat using unauthorized materials, impersonation, and coordinated answer-sharing via technology. Authorities noted that these actions not only undermine the credibility of the education system but also breed a culture of dishonesty and mediocrity among young Nigerians.
According to data released by JAMB and WAEC, thousands of candidates are flagged yearly for various forms of examination infractions. In 2024 alone, WAEC reported over 30,000 suspected cases of malpractice, while JAMB invalidated the results of nearly 10,000 candidates due to fraud. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement.
A Unified Front by Examination Bodies
To combat this trend, the Federal Government, in partnership with external exam bodies, has committed to a unified framework for addressing malpractice. Under the new directive:
-
Any candidate caught cheating will be barred from writing WAEC, NECO, JAMB, or NABTEB exams for three years.
-
Schools and CBT centres that enable or encourage malpractice will be derecognised. They will no longer be eligible to serve as examination centres for any national examination.
-
The names of sanctioned institutions and candidates will be published periodically to deter others from similar offences.
-
Examination officials found complicit will face disciplinary action and may be prosecuted depending on the severity of their involvement.
The Minister of Education emphasized that this move is not only punitive but also rehabilitative, aimed at rebuilding a culture of honesty, hard work, and academic excellence.
Stakeholders React
The new policy has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders. Some educators have applauded the move, stating that the government’s firm stance is long overdue.
Dr. Ifeoma Olayemi, a secondary school principal in Lagos, said, “This is a bold step toward restoring sanity. Too many schools have turned to ‘miracle centres’ just to boast about high scores. It’s time we prioritize integrity over empty results.”
However, others warn that without adequate reforms in the education system, including teacher training, infrastructure, and access to learning materials, the underlying causes of malpractice may persist. Parents have also raised concerns about the possibility of wrongful accusations and the need for fair and transparent investigations before bans are enforced.
In response, the government assured that a robust review and appeal process will be in place to protect innocent candidates and institutions while ensuring that justice is served swiftly and transparently.
Towards a Culture of Integrity
This latest development marks a significant escalation in the government’s fight against academic dishonesty. It aligns with broader efforts to reform the education sector, including the digitization of examination processes, biometric verification of candidates, and the deployment of independent observers at exam centres.
While enforcement remains a challenge, the message is clear: examination fraud will no longer be tolerated. The hope is that with consistent application and societal support, Nigeria can foster a new generation of students who understand that success must be earned, not stolen.
As the policy rolls out in full, all eyes will be on how effectively the bans are implemented—and whether this will be a turning point in the battle against one of the country’s most entrenched academic problems.
