The Federal Government has launched a decisive crackdown on examination fraud, unveiling a robust package of new measures designed to restore integrity to the upcoming 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) tests.
Enhanced Security and Question Randomisation
Announcing the reforms in Abuja on Monday, January 5, 2026, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the ministry is intensifying oversight to protect the credibility of national assessments. A cornerstone of the new strategy is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation.
This innovative approach means that while all candidates will answer the same set of questions, the order and arrangement will be uniquely different for each individual. This creates a distinct version of the exam for every student, drastically cutting down opportunities for collusion and copying during the tests.
Strict Bans and New National Guidelines
The government is putting its foot down on a known malpractice loophole: the last-minute transfer of students. The ministry has reiterated a strict ban on the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level. Dr. Alausa explained that this directive, already circulated officially, will be rigorously enforced to stop school changes often orchestrated to facilitate cheating.
Furthermore, to promote transparency from the ground up, the Federal Ministry of Education has issued new national guidelines for continuous assessment (CA) with immediate effect. All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), must comply with strict, standardized submission deadlines.
Under this new framework:
- First-term continuous assessment records must be submitted in January.
- Second-term records are due in April.
- Third-term records must be submitted by August.
These mandatory timelines are set to ensure nationwide consistency, protect data integrity, and allow for timely processing.
A Unique ID for Every Candidate
In a move aimed at revolutionizing tracking and accountability, the government is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. According to a statement by the ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, this identifier will enhance the monitoring of each learner throughout the examination process.
The new ID system is expected to strengthen oversight, support long-term reforms in assessment and certification, and improve overall data management within Nigeria's education sector.
Minister Alausa assured all stakeholders that the administration of the 2026 examinations will be conducted under strengthened supervision and in close coordination with the relevant examination bodies to ensure full adherence to ethical standards. He emphasized that these measures reflect the government's commitment to delivering credible and fair examinations that meet global best practices, while directly tackling Nigeria's specific educational challenges.
The ministry reaffirmed its resolve to collaborate with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and the candidates themselves to ensure the effective implementation of these strategies and the smooth conduct of the 2026 exams across the country.
