The Federal Government has announced sweeping nationwide reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in WAEC and NECO, beginning with the 2026 examination cycle.
The new measures were outlined in a statement issued on January 5, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.
According to the Ministry, the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to restore the credibility of Nigeria’s public examinations and strengthen transparency across the education system.
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, disclosed the measures as part of broader education sector reforms.
A key change is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation, which will ensure that candidates sit for the same examination but with questions arranged in different sequences.
“This guarantees that every candidate writes a unique version of the examination, significantly reducing opportunities for collusion,” the Ministry stated.
The government will also introduce a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. The identifier is expected to improve candidate tracking, enhance accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and education data management.
The Ministry announced a mandatory nationwide Continuous Assessment (CA) framework, effective immediately. Under the new guideline:
- First Term CA must be submitted in January
- Second Term CA in April
- Third Term CA in August
This is aimed at standardising assessment practices and reducing last-minute grade manipulation.
The government reaffirmed its policy banning the transfer of SS3 students, noting that the rule will now be strictly enforced to curb last-minute school changes linked to examination fraud.
The Ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration would be conducted under tighter supervision and in closer collaboration with examination bodies to ensure integrity.
Examination malpractice remains a major challenge in Nigeria, undermining the value of certificates and public trust in the education system.
In 2025, WAEC withheld 192,089 results (9.75% of candidates), an improvement from 11.92% in 2024, though concerns persist over organised cheating and mobile phone usage.
NECO reported 3,878 malpractice cases in 2025, a sharp decline from 10,094 cases in 2024, representing a 61.6% reduction.
Meanwhile, JAMB has flagged rising technology-driven malpractice, including impersonation, fingerprint manipulation and AI-assisted fraud.
The Federal Government says the new reforms are designed to align Nigeria’s examination system with global best practices, while addressing local challenges and restoring public confidence in national assessments.
