Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts’ Presentation was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. The only presentation for the day was made by the Subject Experts on, Nigeria.
The presentation was made by Brig Gen UJ Makbere subject expert on Nigeria, his presentation centered on, Tinubu Administration Will End ‘Miracle Examination Centers’ – Minister. On 29 Jan 25, DAILY POST reported that the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced that the Nigerian government is set to eliminate Miracle Examination Centres across the country. He stated that the Tinubu administration is committed to sanitizing Nigeria’s educational system. He also noted that many private secondary schools in the country attract students by promising them guaranteed success in their examinations. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday 28 Jan 25, the minister emphasized that the issue would be addressed decisively.
He further stated that the quality of Nigeria’s tertiary education system has improved, as the government has implemented a plan to train five universities, which will, in turn, train other public institutions nationwide. “We have a problem with examination malpractice, which we address head-on as a government. This is unacceptable because if you allow people to cheat, you discourage hardworking individuals. We will decisively tackle the issue of miracle centres and the widespread examination malpractice. We will end this menace that has severely infiltrated our educational system,” he added.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria Brig Gen UJ Makbere noted that, Miracle Examination centre as a tool or form of exam malpractice in Nigeria has become a pervasive issue, significantly undermining the integrity of the educational system. This unethical practice encompasses various forms of cheating and misconduct during examinations, involving not only students but also educators, parents and examination officials both in public and private schools. The methods of cheating have been become increasingly diverse and complex, with mobile phones and the internet facilitating misconduct. Today, examination malpractice in Nigeria has reached an alarming level, posing a serious threat to the credibility of the educational system.
In 2018, WEAC reported that out of 1,572,396 candidates, 102,058 results were withheld due to examination malpractice. In the following year, 2019, from 1,590,173 candidates, 180,205 results were seized for similar reasons, and by 2020, among 1,538,445 candidates, 215,149 results were withheld over malpractice concerns. Similarly, the National Examinations Council (NECO) reported a significant increase in malpractice cases in recent years. In the 2020 examination cycle, NECO reported over 30,000 cases of examination malpractice, a sharp increase from previous years (NECO, 2021).
There is a need to de-emphasize the overreliance on certificates as the sole indicator of competence. Educational institutions and employers should place greater emphasis on practical skills and continuous assessment methods that evaluate a student’s overall abilities. Similarly, strengthening the educational system is crucial. This includes providing adequate resources, training and supporting teachers, reducing overcrowded classrooms, and updating the curriculum to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Improving the welfare and motivation of teachers can also reduce their susceptibility to bribery and other forms of malpractice.
Similarly, strict enforcement of examination regulations is essential. Various examination bodies could strengthen their monitoring depts and impose stricter sanctions including suspension to outright ban from writing the relevant exams especially where institutions are culpable. Furthermore, beyond merely incorporating biometric verification and computerized testing, a comprehensive technological overhaul can significantly minimize opportunities for malpractice. Additionally, public awareness campaigns can also play a role in changing societal attitudes towards examination malpractice. Educating students, parents, and the broader community about the long-term consequences of malpractice, including instilling a culture of integrity and ethical behavior from an early age. Above all, the typical Nigerian attitude to honesty and integrity devoid of enforced sanctions is superfluous. This is largely due to cultural norms, economic pressure, lack of consequence and trust in relevant institutions.
He recommended that, the Federal Ministry of Education/State Ministries of Education/Local Educations Authorities should enforce stricter penalties for offenders, including students, teachers, and officials involved in examination malpractice, coupled with a transparent and efficient judicial process to deter potential violators.
