Govt Introduces Candidate Tracking To Curb Exam Fraud

The federal government has introduced a candidate tracking system as part of new measures to curb examination fraud in Nigeria ahead of the 2026 cycle.

The initiative, announced by the minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed, aims to strengthen the integrity of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

Boriowo Folasade, the director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, explained in a press release yesterday that the measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to conducting credible, fair, and globally aligned examinations, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities.

Among the key measures, she said, 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 statement said.

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, according to the statement.

To further ensure transparency, new national Continuous Assessment guidelines have been developed for immediate implementation.

All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), must strictly adhere to the standardised submission deadlines for each academic period.

She said the submission windows are as follows: First Term Continuous Assessment – January, Second Term Continuous Assessment – April, and Third Term Continuous Assessment – 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.”

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

They also reaffirmed 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.