BREAKING: FG SAYS WAEC, NECO EXAM LEAKAGES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED AFTER MAJOR EDUCATION REFORMS

FG SAYS WAEC, NECO EXAM LEAKAGES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED AFTER MAJOR EDUCATION REFORMS

The Federal Government has announced that examination question leakages in major national examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) have been eliminated following sweeping reforms introduced in Nigeria’s education sector.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while speaking at the maiden convocation ceremony of Miva Open University held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos.

According to the minister, the government’s newly introduced examination reforms have significantly improved the integrity of public examinations while drastically reducing examination malpractice nationwide.

Alausa said the reforms include the adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and a hybrid examination system, measures he described as critical steps toward restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s examination process.

Speaking during the event, the minister said examination malpractice that had long plagued WAEC and NECO examinations has now been reduced to what he described as “zero level.”

He explained that before the reforms, examination question leakages had become a recurring national challenge, often compromising the credibility of the examination system and placing honest students under pressure.

According to him, there were previous situations where examination papers were leaked before the exams were conducted, forcing education officials to verify compromised questions and respond to security concerns around the examination process.

The minister noted that the development negatively affected students who intended to sit examinations legitimately, as leaked questions often created unfair advantages and encouraged widespread cheating.

He credited the progress to aggressive interventions by the Federal Government aimed at protecting the integrity of public examinations across the country.

Alausa stated that the education reforms form part of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Beyond examination reforms, the minister also highlighted other ongoing changes in the sector aimed at improving education delivery nationwide.

According to him, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved amendments to both the Universal Basic Education Act and the National Senior Secondary School Education Act as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.

He added that the government is also reviewing the national curriculum to reduce excessive academic workload on students while increasing focus on foundational learning, critical thinking, innovation, and future-oriented skills.

The minister further revealed that significant investments are being made in medical education, technical and vocational training, student accommodation, and digital learning infrastructure to reposition the sector for long-term development.

Education stakeholders say the reported reduction in examination malpractice could mark a major turning point for Nigeria’s education system if the reforms are sustained and effectively monitored.

The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by the government to improve standards, transparency, and quality assurance across schools and examination bodies nationwide.