National headquarters of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has expressed support for the recent initiatives by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) aimed at eradicating examination malpractices in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
MSSN particularly commended WAEC’s introduction of customised question papers, describing it as a commendable step toward safeguarding the integrity of examinations. The society also welcomed WAEC’s proposed transition to computer-based examinations, noting that the move aligned with global best practices and held promise for enhancing the credibility, transparency and efficiency of the examination process.
“The menace of examination malpractice remains a grave threat to our educational system and national development,” said Engr. Mustapha Tajudeen Olumide, the national president of MSSN. He further urged all stakeholders—including schools, parents, teachers, policymakers and the media to join forces in supporting WAEC’s efforts to sanitise the system.
MSSN called on tertiary institutions across the country to reassess their admission policies, emphasizing the need to shift focus from the current fixation on exceptionally high grades to a more balanced approach that values credit-level passes.
“The undue pressure to secure top grades is a major driver of examination malpractices at the O’level, and a more balanced admission policy will help address this root cause,” the president of the society stated.
The society also announced its preparedness to launch a nationwide campaign against examination malpractice in partnership with the Movement Against Examination Malpractices (MEEM) and other civil society organisations. The campaign aims to raise awareness, promote academic integrity, and collaborate with stakeholders to restore a culture of honesty, diligence and merit across the educational landscape.
