FG introduces new measures to curb malpractice in WAEC and NECO exams

In a decisive move to restore credibility to Nigeria's educational assessment system, the Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at completely eliminating examination malpractice in the 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwabha Said Ahmed, disclosed the new strategies during a press briefing in Abuja. The ministers stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is intensifying oversight and deploying targeted interventions to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.

A cornerstone of the new policy is the introduction of enhanced question randomization and serialization. While all candidates will answer the same set of questions, the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each individual, effectively providing a unique exam paper for every student. This innovation is designed to drastically reduce opportunities for collusion and answer-copying during exams.

The government also reaffirmed its strict ban on the transfer of SS3 (Senior Secondary School Three) candidates. This directive, already circulated via an official circular, will be rigorously enforced to curb the practice of last-minute school changes, which is often linked to organized exam malpractice.

To ensure transparency in grading, the Ministry has developed new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines with strict, mandatory submission deadlines for all examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, etc.):

· First Term CA: January

· Second Term CA: April

· Third Term CA: August

These standardized timelines are intended to guarantee consistency, data integrity, and the prompt processing of student records nationwide.

Furthermore, a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number will be introduced for all candidates. This identifier will enable effective tracking of students throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment and data management.

The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and in close coordination with relevant bodies to ensure strict compliance with ethical standards. They emphasized that these measures reflect the government's resolve to conduct credible, fair examinations that align with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational challenges.

The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to collaborating with 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.