Nigeria Slams 3-Year Exam Ban on Students Caught in Malpractice

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a sweeping new policy aimed at curbing examination malpractice in Nigeria’s education system, announcing that students found guilty of cheating in public examinations will be barred from sitting for any external exams in the country for a minimum of three years.

The directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, and communicated by the Public Communication Advisor of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement released on Tuesday. The policy applies to students involved in malpractice during exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), among others.

According to the statement, the new sanctions will be enforced using the National Identification Number (NIN) system, which will enable examination bodies to track and block offenders across multiple platforms. The move, authorities say, is designed to serve as a strong deterrent and restore the integrity of the nation’s education system.

“In accordance with Sections 5(1)(c)(lv) and 6 of the JAMB Act, the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed that any school or CBT centre involved in examination malpractice or acting as a ‘miracle centre’ should be derecognised for a number of years,” the statement said. “If derecognised by one exam body, all other sister examination bodies are to follow suit, with penalties running concurrently.”

The Minister’s directive is also backed by Section 16(2) of the Examination Malpractices Act, which allows examination bodies to circulate the names of offenders to other institutions for uniform disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, expressing concern over the long-standing damage the practice has done to academic integrity and human capital development in the country.

In a separate statement, Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, noted that the Ministry, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is determined to eradicate malpractice through strict enforcement of existing laws and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“We will actively pursue the prosecution of all offenders,” Boriowo said. “Our students deserve a system that rewards merit and prepares them for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”

The Ministry called on all stakeholders—students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and the public—to support the campaign to protect the credibility of Nigeria’s education system. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected cases of examination malpractice to the appropriate authorities.