FG Targets WAEC, NECO Malpractice with New 2026 Reforms

The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations beginning with the 2026 examination cycle.

The new measures, unveiled by education authorities on Tuesday, are designed to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s public examinations and restore public confidence in the assessment system. Central to the reforms is enhanced question randomization and serialization, a system that will ensure candidates answer the same questions but in different sequences and arrangements, making collusion and copying significantly more difficult.

Under the new framework, each examination script will be uniquely coded, allowing examination bodies to track and identify irregularities more effectively. Officials said the approach leverages technology to disrupt organised cheating rings that often exploit predictable question formats during examinations.

In addition to question randomization, the government announced tighter supervision at examination centres, including the deployment of more trained invigilators and independent monitors. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and biometric verification are also being considered for selected centres, particularly in areas previously identified as malpractice hotspots.

The Federal Ministry of Education said stricter penalties would be enforced against candidates, supervisors and schools found culpable of examination misconduct. Sanctions may include cancellation of results, blacklisting of centres, and prosecution in line with existing laws. Authorities stressed that the reforms are not intended to punish candidates but to protect honest students and uphold merit.

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Education stakeholders were also urged to play active roles in the campaign against malpractice. Parents, school administrators and teachers were encouraged to discourage unethical practices and prepare students adequately through proper teaching rather than shortcuts.

WAEC and NECO officials welcomed the reforms, describing them as timely and necessary. They noted that examination malpractice has long undermined the integrity of certificates and disadvantaged hardworking candidates. Both examination bodies said they are working closely with the government to ensure a smooth rollout of the new systems ahead of 2026.

The government also announced plans to intensify public sensitisation campaigns to educate candidates on the new examination procedures and the consequences of malpractice. Mock tests and pilot programmes are expected to be conducted before full implementation to familiarise students and schools with the changes.

Examination malpractice remains a major challenge in Nigeria’s education sector, with repeated reports of leakage, impersonation and organised cheating. Officials said the latest reforms represent a decisive step toward safeguarding the future of Nigerian students and aligning the country’s examination standards with global best practices.