In a sweeping move to protect the integrity of its examinations, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has barred 574 secondary schools across Nigeria from participating in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) due to their involvement in exam malpractice.
The announcement was made by Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, Head of WAEC’s National Office, during a press briefing in Lagos. He revealed that the sanctions were part of a broader effort to restore trust in Nigeria’s educational assessment system.
“These schools were found culpable of aiding and abetting examination malpractice in previous WASSCE sittings. As a result, they will not be recognized as centres for the 2025 school-based examinations,” Dr. Dangut stated.
WAEC has submitted the list of the affected institutions to the Federal Ministry of Education for further disciplinary action and oversight.
Dr. Dangut also disclosed that a record-breaking 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 recognized schools are set to participate in the 2025 WASSCE, scheduled between April 24 and June 20. To combat cheating, WAEC will introduce individualized question papers for each student—an unprecedented move designed to prevent copying and ‘expo’ during exams.
“No two candidates will receive the same set of questions. It’s a strategic innovation to protect the sanctity of the examination,” he explained.
In addition to barring schools, WAEC is partnering with security agencies to clamp down on fake exam vendors and digital platforms promising access to leaked questions.
“These syndicates are not only defrauding parents and students, but also endangering the future of education. We’re tracking them, and we will prosecute offenders,” Dr. Dangut said.
The Council also confirmed that plans are underway to introduce Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for selected subjects in future WASSCE editions. This modernization aims to improve efficiency and align with international standards.
WAEC’s firm stance sends a clear message: there is no room for compromise when it comes to examination integrity. As the 2025 WASSCE approaches, the spotlight is now on students, schools, and stakeholders to uphold the values of fairness, hard work, and academic honesty.
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