FG introduces new measures to curb WAEC, NECO examination malpractice from 2026

The Federal Government has unveiled new measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations from 2026 and beyond.

The initiatives, according to the government, form part of broader reforms to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s examination system.

In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, said the Federal Ministry of Education is stepping up oversight and deploying targeted strategies to protect the integrity of national examinations.

A major highlight 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 vary for each candidate, ensuring that every student sits for a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing the risk of collusion.

The ministry also reiterated its strict ban on the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level. The directive, already communicated through an official circular, will be strictly enforced to curb last-minute school transfers often linked to examination malpractice.

To promote greater transparency, the ministry has introduced new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment (CA), which take immediate effect. All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, and NBAIS, are required to comply with standardized submission timelines for CA records.

Under the guidelines, first-term CA submissions must be completed in January, second-term submissions in April, while third-term submissions are due in August. The ministry said the timelines are mandatory and intended to ensure uniformity, data integrity, and timely processing of assessment records nationwide.

In addition, the Federal Government is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. The identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen 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 and closer coordination with examination bodies to ensure full compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.

They stressed that the new measures underscore the government’s commitment to conducting examinations that are credible, fair, and aligned with global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s specific educational challenges.

The Federal Ministry of Education also reaffirmed its commitment to working 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 across the country.