FG To End Cheating In WAEC, NECO Exams
The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the 2026 examinations and beyond in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, disclosed that the measures are part of ongoing reforms to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed.
The ministers stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.
Among the key measures, the ministry stated is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation mechanisms.
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“ While all candidates will answer the same examination questions, the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each candidate, ensuring that every student writes a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion,” the statement said.
The ministry also reaffirmed its strict policy prohibiting the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level.
“ This directive, already communicated through an official circular, will be rigorously enforced to prevent last-minute school changes often associated with examination malpractice,” the statement said.
The minister also stated that to further ensure transparency, a new national Continuous Assessment(CA) guidelines have been developed for immediate implementation.
It said, “The Federal Ministry of Education is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates.
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“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 ministers further assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and coordination with relevant examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and 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 ministry in the statement also 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.