In a landmark move set to reshape Nigeria’s examination landscape, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has introduced a customised question paper model for select subjects in the 2025 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).
This shift, according to education stakeholders, is a bold step towards eradicating examination malpractice and reinforcing integrity in learning.
The announcement was made during the recent WAEC Principals’ Briefing held across states in Nigeria. According to a report by EduTimes Africa, the Council disclosed that key subjects — English Language 1 & 3, Mathematics 1, Biology 1, and Economics 1 — will now be personalised per candidate. This means each student will receive a unique set of questions embedded with their personal details and matched directly to their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet.
“This is a systemic overhaul. No two candidates will receive the same set of questions for these subjects,” the report read. WAEC also assured that in instances of missing customised papers, supervisors will distribute emergency question papers along with plain OMR sheets.
Reacting to this development, Mr. Ibitoye A., Administrator of the Edu-Matters Education Platforms, described the change as “a wake-up call to parents, educators, and school leaders.”
“It’s no longer business as usual,” he said in a public statement on the Edu-Matters Facebook group. “We must now re-strategize, transform mindsets, and rebuild a culture where effort is celebrated and integrity is non-negotiable.”
He emphasised that this policy shift should push educators and school administrators to return to the basics — discipline, hard work, and authentic learning. “This is not just a procedural adjustment,” Mr. Ibitoye noted. “It’s a moral reawakening for all stakeholders in the education sector.”
He also called on parents to support their children at home by creating reading-friendly environments, especially during the holiday season, stating that “WAEC is not waiting for anyone to catch up — the system is already moving.”
Education reform advocates have praised the move, saying it would promote equity and reduce dependency on “miracle centres” and other unethical practices. A secondary school principal in Lagos, Mrs. Abiola Ogunleye, told EduTimes Africa, “This new WAEC model will challenge schools to go beyond rote preparation. It will require authentic teaching and learning, and that’s long overdue.”
WAEC’s latest policy adds to growing reforms in Nigeria’s education system aimed at improving quality and trust in public examinations.
While implementation may face challenges, especially in rural areas, many believe this is a much-needed shift in the right direction.
As Mr. Ibitoye concluded in his message, “Let us continue to work together — heads, teachers, mentors, and counsellors — to raise a generation of learners who succeed with honour.”
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.
