WAEC Pushes for Stronger Academic Integrity to Boost Global Competitiveness

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is urging African schools to bolster academic integrity, viewing it as a crucial element for achieving educational excellence and enhancing global competitiveness. Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of National Office (HNO) for WAEC in Nigeria, stressed this point at the 2026 Africa Top Schools awards in Lagos. The event, themed "The Seamless Arc: Building a High-Integrity Foundation as the Bedrock of Global Tertiary Competition," gathered education stakeholders to discuss integrity's role in shaping future leaders.

Dangut asserted that integrity is indispensable in the assessment and certification process, emphasizing that credible educational qualifications are essential for global recognition. He stated that certificates represent a promise of competence, and when this promise is broken through academic dishonesty, the foundation for future success is weakened. He warned that unchecked academic dishonesty could degrade the quality of education and erode public trust in educational qualifications. According to Dangut, assessment systems founded on integrity cultivate excellence, discipline, and accountability among students, qualities vital for their academic and professional journeys.

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It takes integrity in how we assess, how we measure and how we certify what our students know. A certificate is not just paper; it is a promise. When that promise is broken, the foundation for future success is weakened.

During the awards ceremony, King's College Lagos and Queen's College Lagos received the Africa Top Schools Award and were inducted into the Africa Top Schools Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to educational excellence. Mr. Joseph Ayodele, Founder of Africa Brands Review and Convener of the awards, explained that the initiative aims to promote integrity within educational institutions, recognize high-performing schools, and celebrate best practices. He noted that induction into the Hall of Fame is temporary, lasting two years, after which schools are reassessed to ensure they maintain high standards. Ayodele added that this year's event also launched the Nigeria Education Wheel of Progress Report (2023–2026) and a Students Talent Hunt competition, both designed to encourage continuous improvement.

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The Africa Top Schools Hall of Fame is about global recognition and remains valid for two years. At the end of that period, schools are re-evaluated, and any institution found to be involved in examination malpractice is removed from the Hall of Fame.