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The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has raised fresh concerns over the depth of examination malpractice in Nigeria, revealing that some National Examinations Council (NECO) questions were allegedly obtained and sold for as little as N3,000 before candidates sat for the examinations.
Alausa made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other stakeholders in the education sector, where he warned that examination malpractice and question leakage posed a serious threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
According to the minister, the widespread availability of leaked examination questions could undermine students who genuinely prepare for their examinations and create pressure on them to cheat simply to remain competitive with candidates who had obtained examination materials illegally.
Recalling his experience in efforts to combat examination malpractice, Alausa said some individuals had previously been able to obtain NECO questions ahead of the scheduled examinations by paying a relatively small amount.
“Before the examination, they bought the questions for N3,000. That was it. They bought the questions for N3,000 before the examination,” he said.
The minister also recounted what he described as a disturbing experience during the 2025 examination period, when he repeatedly received examination questions allegedly obtained before candidates were due to sit for the papers.
He said authorities were sometimes compelled to verify the materials with examination officials, only to discover that the questions being circulated were genuine papers scheduled for that particular day.
Alausa stressed that examination malpractice should not be treated solely as a problem caused by students, arguing that parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals and invigilators also have significant roles to play in either facilitating or preventing cheating.
He said where adults colluded to assist candidates in compromising examinations, students could end up being the least responsible participants in a system that ought to protect the integrity of academic assessments.
The minister said the Federal Government would continue to strengthen measures aimed at preventing question leakages and other forms of examination malpractice, noting that academic certificates must ultimately reflect students’ actual knowledge and abilities rather than their access to leaked examination materials.
He linked the reforms to the broader efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration to raise standards in the education sector and build an academic system capable of producing competent graduates.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, also called on private school proprietors to support government efforts to restore credibility to public examinations.
Ahmad acknowledged that tighter examination controls could initially expose weaknesses in the academic performance of some students who had previously benefited from leaked questions.
She said the introduction of serialised examination questions would make it more difficult for candidates to obtain or circulate leaked papers, while encouraging students to prepare adequately for their examinations.
The minister further urged schools to complete their curricula on time and encourage students to maintain regular study habits.
She assured private education stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to engage them as the examination reforms were implemented.
The renewed government stance comes amid persistent concerns over examination malpractice in Nigeria, including question-paper leakage, impersonation, collusion and unauthorised assistance to candidates.
The authorities maintain that tighter examination procedures are necessary to protect students who compete fairly and restore public confidence in the credibility of Nigeria’s educational qualifications.
