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Federal Government Imposes Three-Year Ban on Students Engaged in Examination Malpractice

Published by Tope Fakinlede on May 28th, 2025.

Federal Government Imposes Three-Year Ban on Students Engaged in Examination Malpractice

Press Release – May 28, 2025

The Federal Government has announced a stringent policy aimed at curbing examination malpractice in Nigeria. Effective immediately, any student found guilty of cheating in national examinations will face a three-year ban from all external examination bodies, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.

This directive, signed by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Public Communications Advisor to JAMB, was issued in an official circular dated May 27, 2025. The policy aligns with Sections 5(1)(c)(iv) and 6 of the JAMB Act and is part of broader efforts to restore integrity to the nation’s examination system.

Key Provisions of the Policy:

Student Sanctions: Students identified as perpetrators of examination malpractice will be barred from participating in any national examinations for a period of three years. This measure will be enforced through the National Identification Number (NIN), which is mandatory for all examination candidates.

Institutional Penalties: Schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres found complicit in examination malpractice will face derecognition. The duration of this penalty will be determined by the respective examination bodies, and the sanctions will be uniformly applied across all relevant agencies to ensure consistency.

Collaborative Enforcement: Examination bodies are mandated to share information about compromised centres, facilitating coordinated actions to uphold examination standards nationwide.

Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, emphasized that this policy is a critical step towards eliminating the influence of “miracle centres” and restoring public confidence in the examination process. He stated, “Examination malpractice undermines the efforts of diligent students and compromises the quality of education. This policy is designed to deter such practices and promote fairness.”

The Federal Government remains committed to modernizing the examination system and ensuring that all students are assessed based on merit and integrity.

For further information, please contact:

Garba Shehu

Press Secretary

Federal Ministry of Education