Minister of Education Calls for Urgent Action to Restore Exam Integrity.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has disclosed alarming details about widespread examination malpractice in Nigeria, revealing that exam questions were allegedly sold for N3,000 prior to the conduct of the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams. Speaking at a meeting with education stakeholders, Alausa described the level of cheating as “mind-boggling” and warned against practices that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s public examinations.

Alausa condemned the tolerance of exam malpractice over the years, noting that it has created an unfair system where students who prepare honestly are disadvantaged by those with access to leaked questions. He warned that this situation fosters a culture where even honest students might resort to cheating to compete, thus eroding the value of academic qualifications.

The minister recounted an incident involving NECO’s former Registrar, Ibrahim Wushishi, who he alleged was involved in selling questions ahead of exams for N3,000. “You would go to Wushishi,” Alausa said, “and buy the questions before the exams, which was a clear breach of integrity.” He also shared personal experiences from the 2025 examination period, where officials circulated questions obtained before test days, sometimes matching them with the official exam questions, leading to intense verification efforts.

Alausa emphasized that examination malpractice is not solely a student problem but a systemic issue involving parents, teachers, school proprietors, invigilators, and principals. He pointed out that when these key stakeholders connive in cheating, students are the least culpable, as they are often forced into unfair competition. “The ecosystem must take responsibility,” he asserted, warning that the government would strengthen measures to protect exam integrity, ensuring that academic credentials genuinely reflect a student’s learning.

Additionally, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, urged private school proprietors and stakeholders to support reforms aimed at curbing malpractice. She highlighted that tougher exam controls, such as serialised questions, would make it harder for candidates to rely on leaked materials, encouraging genuine preparation. Ahmad also urged schools to complete curricula on time and promote consistent study habits among students.

This renewed focus on exam integrity is part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader effort to restore standards in Nigeria’s education system. The government aims to combat long-standing issues such as question leakages, impersonation, collusion, and external interference, which have compromised the credibility of Nigeria’s public examinations. By implementing these reforms, Nigeria seeks to ensure that examination results accurately reflect candidates’ knowledge and merit, fostering a more trustworthy education system that upholds fairness and integrity.