The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals, invigilators and students over examination malpractice, vowing to strengthen controls to ensure public examinations reflect genuine merit.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave the warning during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other education stakeholders in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa, in a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser, Media and Communications, said the crackdown is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to restore integrity and reposition Nigeria’s education system under the administration’s wider education sector reforms.
“Examination malpractice has become deeply entrenched, creating an unfair environment for students who prepare honestly for their examinations,” the Minister said.
“It not only distorts results but also undermines confidence in the qualifications awarded by the nation’s education system.”
The Minister stressed that tackling the menace requires collective responsibility, noting that students are not the only culprits.
He called on parents, teachers, proprietors, principals and invigilators to uphold examination rules, provide the right learning environment and discourage unfair access to examination materials.
According to him, the Federal Government is already strengthening examination administration to make public exams more secure and to ensure results reflect “genuine learning and merit.”
Dr. Alausa assured stakeholders that the government will continue to work with private schools, examination bodies and other partners to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s assessment system.
“This administration remains committed to protecting the interests of genuine learners and building an education system where academic qualifications are earned through knowledge, hard work and merit,” he said.
The Minister noted that the reforms form part of broader efforts to improve standards, strengthen accountability and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s education system.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, urged private school proprietors to support the reforms, warning that stronger controls may initially expose gaps in students’ actual preparation.
“Some students who perform exceptionally well in internal examinations may have become accustomed to accessing leaked questions ahead of external examinations,” she said.
“When such avenues are closed, they will be less prepared.”
Prof. Ahmad announced that the introduction of serialized examination questions would make reliance on leaked materials more difficult.
She urged schools to complete the curriculum on schedule and encourage consistent study, assuring stakeholders of the Ministry’s continued engagement and support.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that examination results provide a credible measure of students’ knowledge and abilities,” she added.