The Federal Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce a special Examination Learners’ Identity Number for candidates sitting the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) this year.
The initiative, according to a statement issued on Monday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, is aimed at strengthening monitoring of candidates and reducing examination malpractice.
The ministry said the new identifier would allow authorities to track learners throughout the examination process, improve accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment and certification.
“This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners, strengthen monitoring, and support reforms in assessment, certification, and data management,” the statement said.
To meet ethical and global standards, the ministry added that examinations would now be conducted under closer supervision, in collaboration with relevant examination bodies.
It explained that the reforms reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure examinations are credible, fair, and aligned with global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s peculiar educational challenges.
The ministry said it would work closely with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure smooth implementation of the new measures ahead of the 2026 examinations nationwide.
As part of efforts to curb malpractice, the ministry disclosed that technology-driven solutions and stricter administrative controls would be deployed to protect the integrity of national examinations.
One of the major changes includes enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. Although candidates will answer the same questions, the order and structure will differ for each candidate, making collusion more difficult in examination halls.
The Federal Government also reiterated its ban on student transfers at the Senior Secondary School 3 level, warning that the rule would now be strictly enforced to prevent last-minute school changes linked to examination fraud.
In addition, the ministry announced the approval of new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment, which take immediate effect.
Under the guidelines, examination bodies such as WAEC, NECO, and NBAIS must adhere strictly to standardised submission timelines: January for first term, April for second term, and August for third term Continuous Assessment records.
According to the ministry, the measures are designed to promote transparency, improve data integrity, and ensure a more credible examination system across the country.
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