Minister Alausa: NECO Exam Paper Sales Exposed for N3,000

• Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, revealed that NECO exam questions were allegedly sold for N3,000 before examinations.
• He described the level of examination malpractice in Nigeria as "mind-boggling" and previously tolerated.
• Alausa recounted instances, including a former NECO Registrar nicknamed "Wushishi," where questions were illicitly obtained.
• He emphasized that the problem extends beyond students, involving parents, schools, teachers, invigilators, and principals.
• The Federal Government plans to strengthen measures to protect exam integrity and ensure academic qualifications reflect genuine learning.

The Minister firmly asserted that the issue of examination malpractice is not solely a problem originating with students.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently brought to light a disturbing practice within Nigeria's examination system, revealing that question papers for the National Examinations Council (NECO) were allegedly sold for as little as N3,000 prior to the scheduled tests. This disclosure, made during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other key education stakeholders, underscored what he termed a "mind-boggling" level of examination malpractice that had, for years, been tolerated across the nation.

Dr. Alausa recounted a specific instance where the then-Registrar of NECO was colloquially referred to as "Wushishi," a term he understood to signify access to a "dark website" where examination questions could be purchased for N3,000 before the actual examination. This anecdote highlights the deep-seated nature of the problem, suggesting a systemic vulnerability to leakage and underscoring the severity of Nigeria examination malpractice.

Further illustrating the pervasive nature of this issue, the Minister shared his personal experience from the 2025 examination period. He described regularly receiving circulated questions, which, upon verification with examination authorities, were sometimes confirmed to be the exact papers slated for that day. This direct exposure to the NECO question paper Wushishi phenomenon underscored the urgent need for robust intervention to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.

The widespread practice of examination malpractice, particularly the sale of NECO question papers for N3,000, creates a profoundly unfair educational landscape. Dr. Alausa emphasized that this system severely disadvantages students who genuinely prepare for their examinations, as they are forced to compete with peers who have illicitly gained access to test materials. This disparity, he warned, is particularly perilous because it can compel honest students to resort to malpractice themselves in an attempt to level the playing field.

The Minister firmly asserted that the issue of examination malpractice is not solely a problem originating with students. Instead, he argued that the broader Nigerian education integrity measures are compromised by an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators, and principals are often complicit. He stressed that while individual students might err, the systemic involvement of these adult stakeholders makes them the primary actors responsible for perpetuating the fraud, rather than the students themselves. This perspective shifts the blame from individual students to the collective failure of the educational environment.

In response to these alarming revelations concerning Dr Tunji Alausa education fraud and the National Examinations Council leakage, the Minister issued a stern warning to all parties involved. He cautioned parents, teachers, proprietors, principals, invigilators, and students against any practices that could undermine the sanctity and integrity of public examinations. This warning signals a renewed commitment from the Federal Government to tackle the pervasive issue of examination malpractice.

The government intends to significantly strengthen its measures to protect the integrity of public examinations. This initiative aims to ensure that academic qualifications genuinely reflect the learning and efforts of students, rather than being tainted by illicit access to examination materials. By addressing the systemic failures and holding all stakeholders accountable, the government seeks to restore public trust in the examination process and uphold the value of education in Nigeria.

This revelation signals potential increased regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions against individuals and institutions involved in examination malpractice within Nigeria's education sector. Lawyers advising educational bodies, examination administrators, or even private schools should review their compliance frameworks and internal controls to mitigate exposure to fraud and ensure adherence to ethical standards.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH.