Nigeria examination malpractice and reform efforts

Efforts to address examination malpractice in Nigeria have centered on systemic reforms and increased accountability. Former JAMB registrar Professor Is‑haq Oloyede noted that while parents contribute to malpractice, the responsibility also lies with examination bodies and government ministries due to issues like overcrowded classrooms and insufficient resources.

In Kogi State, the administration reported a clean record regarding WAEC sanctions, attributing this to tighter supervision and stricter enforcement of guidelines.

More recently, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has raised alarms regarding widespread malpractice, describing the scale of the issue as ‘mind-boggling.’ During a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Alausa revealed that National Examinations Council (NECO) question papers have been sold for as little as ₦3,000. He alleged that leaked questions were previously accessible through channels associated with a former NECO Registrar, Ibrahim Wushishi, and noted that he personally received and verified leaked questions during the 2025 examination period.

To combat this, the Federal Government is implementing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restore academic integrity. Proposed measures include strengthening examination administration and introducing serialized examination questions to make leaked materials less effective, aiming to ensure results reflect genuine merit.