Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a sweeping set of reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations beginning from the 2026 examination cycle, Prime Business Africa reports.
The measures were unveiled by the country’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the credibility, transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s national examination system.
A major feature of the reforms is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. Under the new system, all candidates will answer the same questions, but the sequence and arrangement will differ for each student, ensuring that every candidate writes a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion.
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The Federal Ministry of Education also reiterated its strict prohibition of the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level the final year of secondary education in Nigeria a practice often linked to examination malpractice. The ministry said the directive, already communicated through an official circular, will now be rigorously enforced nationwide.
As part of efforts to improve transparency and consistency, the ministry has introduced new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines for immediate implementation. Examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), are required to comply strictly with standardized submission timelines: January for first-term CA, April for second-term CA, and August for third-term CA.
According to the ministry, the timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure data integrity, uniformity and timely processing of continuous assessment records across the country.
The government also announced the introduction of a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. The identifier is expected to enhance tracking throughout the examination process, improve monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification and data management.
The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision, with closer coordination between the ministry and relevant examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.
They said the reforms underscore Nigeria’s determination to conduct examinations that are credible, fair and aligned with global best practices, while responding to the country’s specific educational challenges.
The Ministry of Education added that it will continue to work closely with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents and candidates to ensure the smooth implementation of the measures ahead of the 2026 examinations nationwide.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
