STUDENTS WRITING WAEC
The Federal Government has announced a sweeping set of reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in WAEC, NECO, and other national examinations from 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen credibility and public confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
The measures were disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mrs Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the government was intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to protect the integrity of national examinations and align Nigeria’s assessment processes with global best practices.
A key feature of the reforms is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation, under which all candidates will answer the same questions but in different sequences, ensuring each student sits for a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing collusion.
The minister also reaffirmed the ministry’s strict ban on the transfer of SS3 candidates, a policy already conveyed through an official circular and now set for full enforcement to curb last-minute school changes often linked to examination malpractice.
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To further enhance transparency, Alausa announced the rollout of new national continuous assessment guidelines, which will take effect immediately. All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, and NBAIS, are required to adhere strictly to standardised submission timelines.
Under the new framework, first-term continuous assessment submissions will close in January, while second- and third-term assessments must be submitted in April and August, respectively. The timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure uniformity, data integrity, and timely processing nationwide.
In addition, the ministry will introduce a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. The identifier will enhance tracking, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in examination administration, certification, and data management.
Alausa assured stakeholders that examination conduct would be subjected to stronger supervision and closer coordination with examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with ethical and procedural standards.
He said the reforms underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to conducting credible, fair, and globally competitive examinations, while addressing Nigeria’s specific educational challenges.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to work closely with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the smooth implementation of the reforms ahead of the 2026 examination cycle.
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