The Nigerian Federal Government has expressed its commitment to curbing the pervasive issue of examination malpractice within the nation’s educational system. Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, publicly affirmed the government’s intention to implement all twelve recommendations presented by a specially appointed committee tasked with improving the quality of examinations. This declaration signals a significant step towards addressing a long-standing challenge that undermines the integrity of the educational process and the credibility of certificates awarded within the country. The Minister’s assurance underscores the seriousness with which the government views this issue and its determination to implement concrete measures to combat it.
Central to the proposed solutions is the establishment of a National Examination Malpractice Court/Tribunal. This specialized court, a key recommendation of the committee, aims to expedite the prosecution of examination-related offenses, thereby acting as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. The current legal framework, the 1999 Examination Malpractice Act, has proven ineffective due to implementation challenges, prompting the committee to call for its review and amendment to ensure enforceability. This dedicated judicial mechanism is intended to streamline legal proceedings, ensuring swift justice and sending a clear message that examination malpractice will not be tolerated.
The committee’s recommendations extend beyond legal recourse, encompassing a range of technological and procedural reforms. The integration of the National Identification Number (NIN), photographs, and birthdates into essential documents such as certificates, registration slips, and result sheets is proposed to prevent identity theft and impersonation, two common methods employed in examination malpractice. This measure aims to enhance the security and authenticity of these crucial documents, safeguarding the integrity of the examination process and the value of the qualifications they represent. Furthermore, the implementation of a unique code linked to the NIN for every student from the point of entry into basic education will create a verifiable and trackable academic history, further strengthening the system’s resistance to fraudulent practices.
The committee also advocated for enhanced surveillance and monitoring during examinations. The recommendations include equipping examination halls with stationary CCTV cameras and body camcorders for real-time surveillance, along with the establishment of mini control rooms at each center for immediate alerts. These technological enhancements will provide a comprehensive record of examination proceedings, deterring malpractice and facilitating the identification of any irregularities. The proposal for examination bodies to jointly own central control facilities aims to optimize resource utilization and ensure cost-effectiveness in implementing these technological upgrades. This collaborative approach will allow for standardized monitoring practices and the sharing of best practices among different examination boards.
Addressing the issue of compromised invigilators and supervisors, the committee recommended the mandatory registration of these personnel through their NINs and subscription to a dedicated short code system, similar to that used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). This measure will enable tracking and information gathering on examination officials, ensuring accountability and transparency. The committee also proposed that invigilators and supervisors be primarily public officials or teachers on pensionable appointments to minimize potential conflicts of interest and enhance the credibility of the examination process. While the committee acknowledged the strong arguments against swapping students, it recommended swapping invigilators and supervisors starting from the 2025 private Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) as a measure to further prevent collusion and malpractice.
The committee also addressed the issue of Continuous Assessment (CA), highlighting concerns about its potential for corruption. Recognizing the 30% CA component in the SSCE as a vulnerable point in the system, the committee recommended its immediate review by relevant agencies. This review is intended to strengthen the integrity of the CA process, ensuring that it genuinely reflects students’ ongoing learning and performance rather than becoming a source of fraudulent manipulation. Furthermore, the committee called for the implementation of Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) for objective questions in private examinations by 2025 and for all school candidates by 2026, accelerating the transition from paper-based tests. This move towards digitized examinations is expected to enhance efficiency, security, and transparency in the assessment process. The committee’s comprehensive recommendations reflect a multifaceted approach to tackling examination malpractice, incorporating legal, technological, procedural, and administrative reforms to create a more robust and credible examination system in Nigeria.
