• 28 May, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Federal Government Cracks Down on Exam Malpractice: Students Face 3-Year Ban.

In a bold move to restore integrity to Nigeria’s education system, the Federal Government has proposed a sweeping penalty for students involved in examination malpractice. If implemented, students caught cheating during the

UTME could be banned from writing any external exams—including WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB—for a period of three years.

Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the proposal, describing it as a necessary step to combat the growing influence of so-called “miracle centres”—illicit venues where students are aided in cheating during exams. The Minister didn’t mince words: any school or CBT (Computer-Based Test) centre found complicit in such practices should be barred from conducting exams altogether.

  If one exam body derecognizes a school or centre, others should do the same for the same period,” Alausa said. “This unified approach will send a clear message to those enabling malpractice.”

   JAMB Uncovers Over 3,000 Suspects

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reported over 3,000 candidates this year as either directly involved in cheating or benefitting from it. To enforce the new sanctions, the government plans to use students’  National Identification Numbers (NIN), making it nearly impossible to bypass the system or re-register under a different name.

This directive aligns with the Examination Malpractices Act  which allows exam bodies to share the identities of offenders and enforce coordinated penalties across the board.

   WAEC Also Gets Tough

Meanwhile, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned that any student caught sharing or receiving live exam questions via social media during the ongoing WASSCE  could face outright cancellation of their results. WAEC also mentioned that such cases may be handed over to law enforcement for further investigation and possible prosecution.

WAEC says it has implemented advanced tech tools like the  CIVAMPEMS system—used to verify candidates’ identities, track attendance, detect impersonation, and report malpractice.
   Exam malpractice is a cancer in our education sector,” WAEC stated. “It threatens the quality of education and undermines national development. We need all hands on deck to root it out.”

    Why This Matters

Let’s be honest: exam cheating isn’t just a student problem. It’s a systemic issue involving schools, supervisors, parents—and sometimes even officials. These new measures send a strong message that Nigeria is serious about cleaning up the education system.

For students, the takeaway is simple: do the work, prepare, and earn your results honestly. The risks of cutting corners are now higher than ever.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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