The Federal Government has directed all public examination bodies, including the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), to inscribe candidates’ National Identification Number (NIN), date of birth, and embossed photographs on their certificates.
Tackling Identity Theft and Exam Malpractice
Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, announced the new directive during the inauguration of a committee tasked with transitioning national examinations from paper-based to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2027. The move aims to curb identity theft, result falsification, and other forms of examination malpractice that have plagued Nigeria’s education sector.
Alausa expressed concern over the rising involvement of parents, teachers, school administrators, and even exam supervisors in aiding and abetting cheating. He emphasized that these new security measures would help restore credibility to the nation’s examination system.
Key Changes and Timeline
The minister set a June 2025 deadline for the newly established committee—led by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede—to submit a report on how to fully implement these measures. By May-July 2025, the next cycle of national exams must include the three security features on certificates.
The committee’s six-point mandate includes:
1. Eliminating exam leakages to prevent question paper circulation before exams.
2. Identifying and eliminating examination identity theft.
3. Migrating all exams to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by 2027.
4. Curbing candidate impersonation and illegal candidate swapping.
5. Enhancing examination supervision with stricter guidelines.
6. Using technology to strengthen the security of national examinations.
The Road to a Fully Digital Exam System
Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transitioning to CBT within the next three years, similar to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) model. He urged schools, students, and examination bodies to start preparing for this shift.
“This is not just about security; it is about enhancing examination integrity and leveraging technology for efficiency,” he stated.
Mixed Reactions from Parents and Educators
The directive has sparked divided reactions among parents and educators. While some applaud the initiative as a long-overdue step to safeguard academic records, others worry about the potential logistical challenges of implementing the changes, particularly in rural areas where access to digital infrastructure remains limited.
As the committee works towards its June deadline, stakeholders in the education sector will be watching closely to see how the transition unfolds—and whether these measures can finally stamp out exam malpractice in Nigeria.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
