By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the 2026 examinations and beyond in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade who announced the development in a statement on Monday said it was part of ongoing reforms to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system.

Boriowo informed that the Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, stated that the Federal Ministry of Education was intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.

“Among the key measures is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation mechanisms. While all candidates will answer the same examination questions, the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each candidate, ensuring that every student writes a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion.

“The Ministry also reaffirmed its strict policy prohibiting the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level. This directive, already communicated through an official circular, will be rigorously enforced to prevent last-minute school changes often associated with examination malpractice”, she said.

The Director also informed that new national Continuous Assessment guidelines had been developed for immediate implementation to further ensure transparency:

“All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS etc) must strictly follow the standardized submission deadlines for each academic period:Submission Windows• First Term CA: January• Second Term CA: April• Third Term CA: August

“These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.

“In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity

Number for all candidates. This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management”, she said.

The Ministers further assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and coordination with relevant examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.

They emphasized that these measures reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and reflective of global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities.

“The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of these strategies and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide”, the statement concluded.

Some students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, have called on the Federal Government to fully implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court by reinstating Professor Bernard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The students, operating under the aegis of the Nigerian Students and Youth Association, UNIZIK chapter, urged the Minister of Education to act without further delay in reinstating Professor Odoh, in strict compliance with the court’s ruling.

President of the group, Chisom Nwangwu, recalled that Professor Odoh was removed from office by the Federal Ministry of Education following allegations that he was not a professor and therefore unqualified to occupy the position.

However, he said the National Industrial Court had since affirmed that Professor Odoh was duly promoted to the rank of professor in 2015 and consequently ordered that all his rights, entitlements and privileges be fully restored.

Nwangwu stressed that respect for court judgments is fundamental to nation-building and should not be treated as optional, urging Nigerians and government institutions to obey court orders if the country is to be firmly rooted in the rule of law.

He expressed concern that the continued failure to implement the court’s ruling, especially in a situation where the office of the Vice-Chancellor was neither legally nor practically vacant, sets a dangerous precedent.

“This persistent disregard for a valid court order undermines democratic values and sends the wrong signal to citizens. Such actions should not be allowed to define us as a people or as a democratic society,” Nwangwu said.

He noted that Professor Odoh is the first alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to be appointed Vice-Chancellor, describing his removal as regrettable and driven by what he termed malicious claims aimed at frustrating a young academic with a progressive vision for the development of the university.

The student leader also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter, noting that his administration is anchored on the principles of justice, fairness and respect for the rule of law.

According to him, such an intervention would help reaffirm public confidence in democratic institutions and reassure young Nigerians that justice, fairness and equality before the law remain attainable in the country.

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has lifted the embargo on the establishment and operation of foreign universities in Nigeria, a move aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and boosting the global competitiveness of the country’s higher education system.

The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, announced the decision at the weekend during the 10th convocation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.

He said the policy shift was designed to deepen international collaboration and strengthen the quality of university education in Nigeria.

Represented at the event by Offor Chukwuemeka, Ribadu explained that foreign universities would be allowed to operate in Nigeria through six approved partnership models: franchise arrangements, branch campuses, twinning or articulation programmes, open and distance learning, acquisition, and teaching institutions.

He said the Commission had also introduced a Code of Governance for private universities to ensure uniform standards, transparency, and accountability in their operations. In addition, Ribadu noted that the NUC had carried out major curriculum reforms, replacing the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).

Under the new framework, he said, the NUC provides 70 per cent of compulsory core courses required for graduation, while universities are allowed 30 per cent flexibility to customise their curricula in line with their areas of expertise and emerging global trends.

The NUC boss emphasised that the reforms were geared towards equipping Nigerian graduates with 21st-century skills and enhancing their employability. He commended Gregory University for its contributions to educational innovation and development.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, in his remarks, praised the founder of the institution, Professor Gregory Ibe, for his vision and commitment to quality education. Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for educational transformation in the state.

The Vice-Chancellor of Gregory University, Professor Cele Njoku, disclosed that the university had grown from three colleges to 12 in 13 years, now boasting over 53 academic departments. She added that all eight academic programmes submitted to the NUC in 2024 received full accreditation, while new courses, including Artificial Intelligence and major foreign languages, had been introduced.

Founder of the university, Prof. Gregory Ibe, represented by the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Uwakwe, said the institution was established to make quality education accessible to Nigerians and pledged continued investment in education.

The overall best graduating student, Master Onyechere Chinedum Yadirichukwu, who graduated with a CGPA of 4.91, urged young Nigerians to take responsibility for shaping the nation’s future.

The convocation ceremony also featured the award of honorary doctorate degrees to former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mba; and Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Imo State chapter, Dr Okenze Sylvester Obinna.