FG rolls out reforms to curb WAEC, NECO malpractice from 2026
The Federal Government has unveiled a set of new strategies aimed at curbing examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council examinations, beginning from 2026, as part of efforts to restore credibility and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.
The measures were announced on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed.
According to the ministers, the reforms are designed to strengthen transparency, tighten oversight and improve accountability across all stages of national examinations.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, which noted that the ministry was determined to confront long-standing challenges associated with cheating and examination irregularities.
The statement disclosed that technology-driven solutions and stricter administrative controls would be deployed to safeguard the integrity of WAEC and NECO examinations.
One of the key measures is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. Although candidates will still answer the same questions, the order and structure of the questions will differ for each candidate.
The ministry explained that the approach would ensure that “every student writes a unique version of the examination,” thereby significantly reducing opportunities for collusion in examination halls.
The Federal Government also restated its position on student transfers at the senior secondary level, warning that existing regulations would now be strictly enforced.
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It recalled that the transfer of candidates at Senior Secondary School Three had already been prohibited through an official circular, stressing that the policy was introduced to curb last-minute school changes often linked to examination malpractice.
In a move to further enhance accountability, the ministry announced that new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment had been developed and approved for immediate implementation.
Under the guidelines, all examination bodies are required to comply with fixed submission timelines for assessment records.
“All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, etc.) must strictly follow the standardised submission deadlines for each academic period: First Term CA in January, Second Term CA in April, and Third Term CA in August,” the statement said.
“These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records nationwide.”
To strengthen monitoring and learner tracking, the ministry also revealed plans to introduce a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates.
According to the statement, the identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, enhance monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification and data management.
The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration would be conducted under closer supervision and in collaboration with examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with ethical standards.
They emphasised that the measures reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair and aligned with global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of the reforms and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide.
By PRNigeria
