The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations from 2026 and beyond.
The reforms, according to a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, were disclosed by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed.
The ministers said the initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s examination system.
Among the key measures is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. While candidates will answer the same questions, 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.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its strict policy prohibiting the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level. The directive, already communicated through an official circular, will be rigorously enforced to curb last-minute school changes often linked to examination malpractice.
To improve transparency and standardisation, the Federal Ministry of Education has developed new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines for immediate implementation.
All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO and NBAIS, are mandated to adhere strictly to standardised 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 compulsory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and timely processing of Continuous Assessment records nationwide.
In addition, the government is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates.
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 further assured stakeholders that examination administration will be carried out under strengthened supervision and closer coordination with examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.
They emphasized that the measures demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to conducting examinations that are credible, fair, and aligned with global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational challenges.
The Ministry reaffirmed its readiness to work 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.
