Exam Malpractice: Nigerian Government Warns Parents, Teachers and School Owners

Nigeria’s federal government has warned that examination malpractice will no longer be treated as a problem caused by students alone. Parents, teachers, school owners, principals and invigilators who facilitate, encourage or ignore cheating will also face consequences.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa issued the warning in Abuja during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other education stakeholders. He said dishonest candidates had gained unfair advantages over students who prepared genuinely, while the practice damaged the credibility of certificates issued by Nigerian institutions.

Alausa said the government was strengthening examination administration to make public examinations more secure. The measures are intended to ensure that grades reflect candidates’ knowledge and abilities, rather than access to examination materials obtained through illicit means. He linked the reforms to President Bola Tinubu’s determination to restore standards and accountability in the education sector.

The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, urged private school proprietors to support the changes. She warned that tighter controls could expose weaknesses in the preparation of students who had performed exceptionally well in internal examinations but allegedly relied on leaked questions. Serialised examination questions are among the measures being introduced to make leaked materials less useful.

The officials called on schools and families to promote sustained learning, proper curriculum coverage and academic qualifications earned through hard work and merit.

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The era of allowing dishonest candidates to gain an unfair advantage over students who prepared genuinely for examinations must end.