The Federal Government’s recent decision to overhaul the operations of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s long struggle with examination malpractice. Announced on January 5, 2026, the reforms are expected to take effect from the 2026 examination cycle and are aimed at restoring credibility to public examinations.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa explained
that the new measures rely heavily on technology
to curb cheating. Central to the reforms is the
randomisation and serialisation of examination
questions, a process that ensures candidates
answer the same questions but in different
sequences. This approach is intended to disrupt
coordinated cheating and render leaked papers
largely useless.
The reform package also includes a ban on
transfers into Senior Secondary School Three,
uniform timelines for continuous assessment,
and the introduction of a unique Examination
Learners’ Identity Number. Authorities believe
these steps will close long-standing loopholes
used to manipulate enrolment figures and
examination records.
Nigeria’s battle with examination malpractice has
been persistent and damaging. Incidents ranging
from impersonation and bribery to large-scale
question leaks have steadily eroded confidence in
certificates issued by national examination
bodies. WAEC alone recorded more than 215,000
malpractice cases in 2024, while NECO has faced
similar challenges despite being created to
strengthen local oversight.
Supporters of the reforms argue that the
emphasis on digital safeguards represents a
practical shift from past approaches. Question
randomisation, they say, directly targets
organised cheating networks, while identity
tracking could help monitor candidates across
multiple examinations. The ban on SS3 transfers
is also expected to curb “exam tourism,” where
students move to schools perceived as more
lenient ahead of final exams.
However, concerns remain about
implementation. Many rural schools still struggle
with unreliable electricity and limited internet
access, raising questions about how effectively
digital measures can be applied nationwide.
There are also broader social factors, including
poverty and intense competition for limited
opportunities, which continue to push some
students toward malpractice.
Despite these challenges, the reforms offer an
opportunity to reset standards. A credible
examination system is critical to building a
skilled workforce, attracting investment, and
restoring trust in Nigeria’s education sector. For
the changes to succeed, they must be backed by
strong enforcement, infrastructure investment,
and consistent monitoring.
Ultimately, the WAEC and NECO reforms should
be seen not as a public relations exercise, but as a
test of national resolve. Their success will depend
on whether policy commitments translate into
lasting improvements in integrity and academic
standards.
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