The Federal Government has announced sweeping reforms to tackle examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests, effective from 2026.

Education Minister Dr. Maruf Alausa and Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Ahmed unveiled the measures in Abuja, stressing the need to restore credibility to Nigeria’s assessment system and align with global standards.

Among the new strategies are enhanced question randomisation and serialisation, ensuring candidates receive the same questions but in unique orders to prevent collusion. A strict enforcement of the no-transfer rule at SSS3 will now ban late school changes often linked to cheating. Continuous assessment guidelines have been standardised with fixed submission deadlines in January, April, and August for all exam bodies.

The reforms also introduce a Unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number to enable lifelong tracking and accountability, alongside stronger technological oversight and closer supervision with exam bodies.

The ministers emphasised collaboration with states, schools, and parents to ensure exams are “credible and fair”, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to transparent education standards.