By Ameh Gabriel
ABUJA – The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji, has declared a national crisis in Nigeria’s examination system, warning that if urgent steps are not taken to eliminate malpractice, the country risks producing a generation of poorly educated citizens unable to compete globally.
Speaking on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the official presentation of the Deliverables Report by the Ministerial Committee on the Improvement of Examination Quality in Nigeria, Dr. Olatunji emphasized the urgent need to restore credibility to public examinations and ensure fairness for every student.
“If a child works hard, studies diligently, and prepares for an exam, but finds out two days before that others have access to leaked questions, we have already destroyed fairness. There is no way such a student can compete on equal footing,” the minister said.
He stressed that examination malpractice, especially in secondary schools, has eroded the sanctity of national assessments, undermining the core values of education and integrity.
CBT and Technology to the Rescue
Dr. Olatunji commended the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for pioneering Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in its ongoing pilot scheme, describing it as a major step towards curbing malpractice and restoring integrity.
“WAEC is making significant progress. I witnessed the CBT exams on Monday—English objectives were conducted in a seamless and secure manner,” he stated.
He also noted that the National Examinations Council (NECO) is working towards implementing similar reforms, particularly in written assessments, to ensure that technology plays a central role in securing the examination process.
Commendation for JAMB’s Excellence
The minister praised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for setting a national benchmark in examination integrity, describing it as a model for other examination bodies.
“JAMB has virtually eliminated fraud. If a student does not study, they will fail. Less than 25% of students scored above 200 out of 400. This is the reality,” he said.
He warned, however, that despite JAMB’s success, a majority of students still graduate from secondary school without the skills to think critically or make informed life decisions.
The Cost of Compromised Education
Dr. Olatunji decried the proliferation of so-called “miracle centres” where exams are compromised for a fee. He described these centres as breeding grounds for academic fraud and a threat to national development.
“We are building millions of illiterate, poorly educated children with fake results—10 A1s but no substance. This is a national crisis,” he said.
He emphasized that Nigeria must act swiftly and decisively to eliminate such centers and restore trust in the educational system.
Collective Responsibility and the Way Forward
The minister called on all stakeholders educators, parents, state governments, examination bodies, and security agencies—to join hands in the fight against examination malpractice.
“Government alone cannot do this. Every society depends on good people to protect its institutions. We must rebuild a system where honesty, merit, and hard work are rewarded,” Dr. Olatunji concluded.
He reiterated that restoring the sanctity of examinations is not optional, but a necessary step to secure Nigeria’s educational future.
