Nigeria Implements New Reforms to Combat Examination Malpractice in SSCE
The Federal government announced new measures on Monday aimed at curbing examination malpractice during the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
The SSCE, administered by bodies such as the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, serves as a prerequisite for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
In a statement from the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the government stated that these measures are part of ongoing reforms designed to enhance the credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.
Quoting Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, the statement highlighted initiatives including the introduction of improved question randomization and serialization.
“While all candidates will answer the same exam questions, the sequencing and arrangement will vary for each candidate, ensuring each student writes a unique version and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion,” the statement explained.
The government also introduced new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines mandated for all examination bodies. The guidelines specify that the first-term CA must be submitted in January, the second-term in April, and the third-term in August.
“These deadlines are mandatory and aim to promote consistency, data integrity, and timely processing of CA records nationwide,” the statement noted.
Additionally, a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number has been introduced for all candidates, enabling effective tracking throughout the examination process and strengthening monitoring, accountability, and long-term assessment reforms.
The ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration will be supervised and coordinated with relevant bodies to maintain strict adherence to guidelines and ethical standards.
They emphasized that these measures demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to conducting credible, fair examinations aligned with global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s specific educational context.
Furthermore, the government recently prohibited candidate transfers at the SS3 level to prevent examination malpractices related to cross-school transfers.
