FG Introduces New Measures to Eliminate WAEC, NECO Examination Malpractice in 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a comprehensive set of new measures aimed at
eradicating examination malpractice in the 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE)
conducted by WAEC and NECO.
The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West
African Examinations Council (WAEC), stated that these reforms are necessary to restore the global
credibility of Nigeria’s educational certifications.
The move follows a series of reports detailing organized cheating syndicates and the digital circulation of
question papers before scheduled exam times.
A central part of the 2026 roadmap is the mandatory implementation of advanced biometric verification
for all candidates. According to the Ministry of Education, every student must undergo fingerprint and
facial recognition at the entrance of the examination hall.
This measure is designed to eliminate the recurring issue of miracle centers and personation, where
external individuals sit for exams on behalf of registered candidates.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has directed NECO to expand its Computer-Based Test (CBT)
model for objective papers.
While practical and essay components will remain paper-based for now, the transition to CBT for
multiple-choice questions is expected to minimize the manual handling of scripts, which is often
identified as a point of leakage.
The government has also warned that any school or examination center found complicit in malpractice
will face immediate and permanent de-recognition.
In previous years, centers were often given temporary suspensions; however, the 2026 guidelines
stipulate that schools involved in mass cheating will be barred from hosting national examinations for a
minimum of five years.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC), have been briefed to provide perimeter security at all centers.
The government noted that any official, whether a supervisor or an invigilator, caught aiding malpractice
will be prosecuted under the Examination Malpractice Act, which carries a jail term of up to five years
without the option of a fine.
To combat the rise of examination expo groups on social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp,
the Federal Government is partnering with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This
partnership aims to track and shut down digital platforms that advertise leaked questions.
The Minister of Education emphasized that the government is aware of the role technology plays in
modern cheating and is deploying cyber-monitors to track illegal activities in real-time during the 2026
examination window.
Stakeholders in the education sector have expressed mixed reactions. While many parents and teachers
welcome the move as a way to reward hard-working students, some school proprietors have raised
concerns regarding the readiness of rural schools for biometric technology and CBT requirements.
The Federal Government has promised to provide technical support to government-owned schools in
underserved areas to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by the new technological requirements.
The 2026 examination season is expected to serve as the definitive test for Nigeria’s commitment to
academic integrity.
Oyinkansola Shittu.
