In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of examination malpractice, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revoked the licences of 574 schools across Nigeria found guilty of engaging in fraudulent examination practices. This decision, which aims to safeguard the integrity of the examination process, was made public by Dr. Amos Dangut, the Head of WAEC’s National Office, during a press briefing held at the council’s national headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.
According to Dr. Dangut, the affected schools are no longer recognized as legitimate examination centres by WAEC. As a result, they will not be allowed to conduct any future examinations under the council’s jurisdiction. The list of these schools has been submitted to the federal government, and WAEC has confirmed that similar actions will be taken by other examining bodies in the country. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance the credibility and fairness of public examinations in Nigeria.
“We have shared with the government a total of 574 schools whose recognition has been withdrawn. This measure will also be adopted by all examining bodies. These schools are no longer authorized to serve as examination centres for WAEC, and we will not conduct any examinations there,” Dr. Dangut stated.
The decision to revoke the licences comes after thorough investigations into these schools, which were found to have engaged in various forms of malpractice, including exam cheating, fraud, and irregularities during previous examinations. The actions taken by WAEC are intended to send a strong message to schools and stakeholders that examination malpractice will not be tolerated, and those found guilty will face severe consequences.
WAEC has been under increasing pressure to ensure that its examinations are fair and credible, particularly with the rise of cheating and irregularities in recent years. As part of its efforts to combat this problem, the council has introduced several measures aimed at maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
One such measure is the introduction of the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE), which will be used for the first time for school candidates. Dr. Dangut emphasized that the use of technology in the examination process would help to reduce the possibility of cheating and make it easier to monitor candidates during the exams.
The move to a computer-based system is also in line with WAEC’s ongoing commitment to modernize and improve its processes. This technological shift is expected to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and security to the examination system. Additionally, Dr. Dangut confirmed that no two candidates will receive identical sets of questions, a step designed to further discourage cheating and ensure that each candidate faces unique challenges during the exams.
As WAEC prepares for the upcoming 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a record 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools have registered to take part in the exam. This marks an increase of 158,627 candidates compared to the previous year, underscoring the growing demand for educational opportunities and qualifications in Nigeria.
Dr. Dangut broke down the registration numbers, revealing that 979,228 of the candidates are male, while 994,025 are female. This balanced gender distribution is a positive development, reflecting increased participation of female students in the examination process. The WASSCE is one of the most important exams in West Africa, and its results are crucial for students seeking further education or employment opportunities.
Examination malpractice has become a significant issue in Nigeria’s education system, with schools, teachers, and students finding increasingly creative ways to cheat during exams. From the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices to the manipulation of exam scripts, the problem has reached alarming levels in recent years. In response, WAEC and other educational bodies have been working tirelessly to put systems in place to deter malpractice and maintain the credibility of the examination process.
Dr. Dangut acknowledged that the challenge of exam malpractice remains significant, but he expressed confidence that WAEC’s efforts to adopt more stringent measures, including the use of technology, would help to address the problem. He also urged schools, teachers, and students to take personal responsibility for upholding the integrity of the examination process, warning that those caught engaging in malpractice would face severe penalties.
“We will not hesitate to take decisive action against any school or individual found guilty of exam malpractice. The integrity of the examination process must be upheld at all costs,” Dr. Dangut asserted.
Looking ahead, WAEC is focused on continuing to improve its operations and maintain the trust of both candidates and the public. The council is also committed to expanding the use of technology in its exams, with the aim of eventually making all exams computer-based. This will not only improve the security and fairness of the exams but also reduce the possibility of human error.
WAEC’s focus on increasing the participation of female students in the examination process is also a positive sign of the council’s commitment to gender equality in education. By providing equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of gender, WAEC is contributing to a more inclusive and equitable educational system in Nigeria.
Dr. Dangut emphasized that WAEC cannot tackle the issue of examination malpractice alone and called for greater cooperation from all stakeholders in the education sector. He urged schools, parents, and students to support the council’s efforts to ensure that the examination process is transparent, fair, and credible. He also called on the federal government to continue its support for WAEC’s initiatives and to provide the necessary resources to help combat malpractice.
The revocation of the licences of 574 schools is a bold step by WAEC in its ongoing fight against examination malpractice. It is a reminder that the council is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in the examination process. However, it is also a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to protect the future of Nigeria’s education system.
