In an exclusive interview with Channels TV, Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, revealed that the Ministry is taking significant steps to tackle exam malpractice in the country.
Alausa emphasized that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had successfully eliminated cheating in its exams through the use of Computer-Based Testing (CBT).
He confirmed that WAEC and NECO would follow suit by transitioning to CBT by November of this year.
“The security measures in place for JAMB’s CBT have virtually eliminated fraud,” Alausa explained.
“Now, we must replicate this system for WAEC, NECO, and other exams such as NAPTEC and MBARA.” He shared that a committee was set up earlier this year to evaluate the state of exams in Nigeria and that their report would be released soon.
The minister also addressed the concerning results of the 2025 UTME, where over 5 million candidates scored below 200, highlighting a gap in learning outcomes at the senior secondary school level..
He attributed this to the prevalence of cheating in exams like WAEC and NECO, which undermines the integrity of the educational system.
“We have miracle centers operating across the country, and this is unacceptable,” Alausa stated.
He stressed that the transition to CBT would be a critical step in combating this issue, as it would make it more difficult for students to engage in fraudulent activities.
Alausa also highlighted the negative impact of cheating on hardworking students, warning that it creates an environment where those who are committed to their studies are demotivated.
“If I were a student, and I knew some of my peers already had access to the questions, why would I bother studying? It undermines the efforts of diligent students,” he said.
The minister’s comments signal a significant shift towards digitalizing and securing the examination process, aimed at restoring integrity to the educational system and ensuring that all students are evaluated fairly.
