The Federal Government has unveiled a set of measures aimed at tackling examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) assessments, starting in 2026. The initiative is part of broader efforts to restore credibility and public trust in Nigeria’s education assessment system.
Announcing the reforms in Abuja, the Minister of Education and the Minister of State for Education outlined plans to strengthen transparency and tighten oversight across all stages of national examinations. The measures include technology-driven solutions, stricter administrative controls, and new operational guidelines designed to safeguard the integrity of WAEC and NECO examinations.
A key step is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. While candidates will answer the same questions, the order and structure of the questions will differ from one candidate to another. According to the ministry, this ensures that “every student writes a unique version of the examination,” reducing opportunities for collusion within exam halls.
The government also reinforced the ban on transfers of candidates in Senior Secondary School Three, a policy intended to prevent last-minute school changes often linked to malpractice.
In addition, new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment (CA) have been approved. Examination bodies are now required to submit assessment records according to fixed timelines, January for the first term, April for the second, and August for the third, to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing.
To further enhance monitoring and accountability, all candidates will be assigned a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number. This identifier will allow tracking of learners throughout the examination process and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management.
The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration will be carried out under closer supervision and in collaboration with examination bodies, with strict adherence to ethical standards. They emphasised that these measures reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to credible, fair examinations aligned with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational challenges.
The Ministry of Education concluded by reaffirming its dedication to working with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the smooth implementation of these strategies and the successful conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide.
