The Nation Newspaper

Tag: exam

  • Alumni rejects exam amnesty, threatens legal action

    Alumni rejects exam amnesty, threatens legal action

    A group of former students under the aegis of Concerned Alumni of the University of Abuja has demanded the resignation of the Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, and the dissolution of the institution’s Senate.

    This followed the decision by the university’s Senate to grant amnesty to students previously sanctioned for examination malpractice between the 2020/2021 academic year and the first semester of 2024/2025.

    The alumni described the move as deeply troubling and a serious blow to the institution’s credibility.

    The group gave the university a seven-day ultimatum to reverse the amnesty decision or face legal action.

    In a statement jointly signed by Barrister Mohammad Usman and Oluwaseun Akintola on Sunday, the group said they were shocked by the development.

    “When we first saw the news on our alumni WhatsApp platforms, many of us dismissed it as fake. To our knowledge, the university has never granted amnesty to students caught cheating in examinations,” the statement read.

    Read Also: Choosing governance over politics: Aliyu Sokoto’s example

    They warned that the decision, if not reversed, could further lower the university’s already struggling reputation, stressing, “At a time when the school’s academic reputation is struggling, this action could reduce the university to nothing more than a glorified secondary school.

    “Where else in the world is amnesty granted to students expelled or rusticated for exam malpractice?

    “These are not militants seeking reintegration—these are individuals who violated academic integrity. What message are we sending to students who studied diligently?”

    The group also criticized the university’s official response through Acting Director of Information, Dr. Habib Yakoob, as dismissive.

    “After speaking with many lecturers disturbed by the decision, we are convinced this was done to protect the interests of influential individuals previously sanctioned for examination misconduct,” the alumni noted.

    They questioned the timing of the decision, noting that Prof. Manko’s acting tenure ends in a month, noting “Why would an outgoing Vice Chancellor preside over such a controversial policy shift?”.

    The alumni further criticized the Senate’s focus during its 189th Regular Meeting on May 28, 2025, questioning its priorities, adding, “At a time when the university faces unresolved issues, including land disputes with FCT authorities, it is troubling that the Senate devoted its full session to granting amnesty for academic malpractice.”

    In the statement, the group posed several questions, asking, “Why were the names of beneficiaries not made public? What prompted the urgency in granting amnesty just weeks before the Vice Chancellor’s tenure ends? Are students simply to collect certificates or retake failed exams? What happens to ongoing legal cases where students had previously lost at lower courts?”.

    They also questioned the silence of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and the National Universities Commission (NUC), asking whether their lack of response signalled complicity or neglect.

    “Why was the amnesty limited to a specific academic period, and who stands to benefit? How do we sustain the morale of lecturers who resisted bribes and upheld academic integrity?”, they asked warning that the decision could devalue degrees already issued and threaten public confidence in the institution.

    “The morale of lecturers who risked personal safety to uphold academic standards is now at its lowest. They are disillusioned after watching the institution’s leadership undo their efforts for political or financial reasons.”

    While giving the university a seven-day ultimatum to reverse the amnesty decision or face legal action, the alumni warned, “We must act now before the certificates we carry lose value due to the questionable decisions of the current leadership of our alma mater.

    “The students who benefited from this amnesty cut across all faculties and levels. The decision was the result of careful consideration and aimed at ensuring fairness in academic justice.”

    The university’s Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, had earlier issued a statement explaining that the action of the institution was in good faith and not politically motivated.

    “The students who benefited from this amnesty cut across all faculties and levels. The decision was a result of careful consideration and aimed at ensuring fairness in academic justice,” he said.

  • NECO digitalises recruitment of exam supervisors

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has digitalised the recruitment process for Examination Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internally and externally.

    The council said the digitalisation was to check sharp practices in the recruitment process and to enhance efficiency and effective service delivery

    The council said this in a statement by Acting Director of Information and Digital Communication, Azeez Sani on Sunday, May 5, in Abuja.

    It could be recalled that before the digitalisation system, the recruitment of supervisors and assistant supervisors was done manually by the Council.

    Read Also: Police confirm kidnap of Abia Archbishop, family in Anambra

    According to the statement, the digitalisation process, which involves migration from the manual recruitment of supervisors and assistant supervisors to an online system, would ensure that supervisors’ nomination forms, appointment letters, and supervisors’ e-photo albums are generated online.

    It noted that routine swapping of supervisors and assistant supervisors during the examination would be done online.

    “Interested qualified Teachers with NCE, Degree Certificate, Master Degrees, PhD and Professors are eligible to apply as Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors for BECE or SSCE Internal or External,” the statement said.

  • Reps reject motion on free JAMB, WAEC, NECO exam

    Reps reject motion on free JAMB, WAEC, NECO exam

    The House of Representatives yesterday rejected a motion asking government to declare the 2023 and 2024 WAEC, NECO and JAMB exam free for all students so people can directly benefit from the fuel subsidy removal palliatives.

    They also rejected an amendment to the motion asking lawmakers to adopt at least one school each in their constituency, and pay the exam fees of the pupils.

    Debating a motion by Dekeri Anamero (APC, Edo), the House called for caution in adopting the motion as it could snare lawmakers.

    But house Leader, Julius Ihonvbare, who supported the motion, said the lawmakers should lead by example by adopting at least one school in their constiruency and pay either the WAEC or NECO fees of the pupils.

    Ihonvbare was supported by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who argued that some lawmakers are already doing that.

    But former House Leader, Alhasaan Ado Doguwa, warned against adopting the motion, saying it could put th lawmakers in trouble.

    Read Also: Shettima: Farm centres in 774 councils to take off soon

    He said while the motion was timely and people-oriented, it was dangerous adopting it as that will give it the Assembly’s weight, thereby pressurising members.

    Also, Awaji-Inombek Abiante warned against adopting the motion because the House cannot give what it does not have. He added that it will be discriminatory to ask members to choose one school from their constituency and take care of the examinarion fees.

    He thus asked the House to either step down the motion or throw it out completely ‘as the parliament lacks the power to ensure compliance with its prayers’.

    Following divergent opinions on the motion, the House voted to step it down.

  • Varsity matriculation exam now April 11

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rescheduled the Unified Tertiary Matriculation examination (UTME) to April 11.

    The board also fixed April 1 for the conduct of its mock examination earlier scheduled for March 23.

    JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, directed candidates to begin the printing of their UTME notification slips from April 2.

    All candidates are to ensure that they print their examination notification slips before the day of the examination, the board said.

    The statement reads: “The Board has scheduled to conduct the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation examination (UTME) from Thursday, 11th April, 2019. Candidates are to begin the printing of the 2019 UTME notification slips from Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019. Candidates can print their slips anywhere.

    “All candidates who registered for the 2019 UTME are to ensure that they print their examination notification slips before the day of the examination as no excuses would be entertained. The public should note that the Board would not reschedule examination for any candidate.

    “All the details on the slips remain the same except the examination date which is now 1st April, 2019.”

    The board also reopened its registration portal to 41,063 candidates who have created their profiles and procured either the UTME or direct entry ePINS till Friday, March 15. The statement added that the portal would be closed by 12midnight of same day.

    “Nigerians would recall that the Board had closed the sale of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry application document on Thursday, 21st February, 2019. At the close of the sale and subsequently close of registration portal, it was discovered that 41,063 candidates created profile and procured either  UTME or DE ePINS but were unable to complete their registration formalities after initiating the process.

    “In view of this consideration the Board has opened the registration portal effective from Wednesday 13th March, 2019 for all candidates with either UTME or DE ePINS to complete their registration formalities.

    “The portal would be closed on Friday, 15th March, 2019 by 12midnight.

    “This opportunity is for only candidates who had created profile and procured UTME or DE ePINS before the close of registration portal as the sale of ePINS had since been closed.

    “Please endeavour to register before Friday midnight if you are holding any of the ePINS (UTME/DE),” the statement added.

  • UTME 2018: Security agents arrest identical twins for exam malpractice

    UTME 2018: Security agents arrest identical twins for exam malpractice

    Two identical twins have been arrested for alleged examination malpractice in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), at the University of Maiduguri centre, Borno.

     

    Mr Babagana Gutti, Chief Examiner Officer in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the twins were apprehended by the security operatives on Saturday in Maiduguri.

     

    Gutti said that the lookalike brothers tricked invigilators and security personnel to gain entrance to the centre.

     

    He said one of them tried to sit for the examination on behalf of his brother.

     

    The JAMB official explained that one, Hussain Andulhammeed, was captured in the biometric registration for the Compute Base Test (CBT), adding that the second persons Hassan took advantage of their semblance and sat for the examination in place of his brother.

     

    “We do not suspect foul play until one of the invigilators noticed the other identical twin outside the examination hall.

     

    “The invigilator became curious and asked him few questions; but not satisfied with answers he put them together for verification.

     

    “It is unfortunate our findings showed that he was in the examination hall in place of his brother,” he said.

     

    Gutti added that the candidates had been penalised and handed over to security personnel.

     

    He explained that the examination was going smoothly in the eight designated centres in the state.

     

    NAN report that about 1,700 candidates registered for the examination in the state. (NAN)

  • Oyo records best WASSC exam results in 18 years

    The Oyo State government has said the state recorded its best result in the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) examinations in 18 years.

    The government said its 54.18 per cent pass for pupils with a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English, was encouraging when compared to the national average of 59 per cent.

    It said 29,174 candidates, representing 54.14 per cent, had a minimum of five credits of the 53,850, who sat for the examination.

    The government said the 29,174 candidates consisted of 13,884 boys and 15,290 girls.

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, gave the figures yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He said this year’s average results had an improvement ratio of above 100 per cent over last year’s, which was 22.12 per cent.

    The commissioner noted that the improvement followed government’s renewed commitment to reverse the downward trend in the performance of pupils in WAEC and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

    He said the state also came second in last year’s NECO result ranking.

    Arulogun said the government was awaiting the statistics on states’ performances from WAEC, adding that this was concluded on September 5 and will be sent to each state, according to WAEC’s Head of National Office, Mr. Olu Adenipekun.

    Oyo State recorded 4.40 per cent in 1999, 3.59 per cent in 2000, 8.7 per cent in 2001, 6.93 per cent in 2002, 6.13 per cent in 2003, 9.17 per cent in 2004, 7.89 per cent in 2005, 10.40 per cent in 2006 and 6.16 per cent in 2007.

    The commissioner said the state recorded 9.14 per cent in 2008, 11.92 per cent in 2009, 13.40 per cent in 2010, 16.97 per cent in 2011, 21.35 per in 2012, 21.79 in 2013, 19.19 per cent in 2014 and 21.61 per cent in 2015.

    Arulogun said the improved performance followed several policies to reform the Education sector for improved performances in internal and external examinations.

    He said Iseyin Local Government Area recorded 67.64 per cent, followed by Ibadan South West, with 67.53 per cent.

    Others, he said, are: Irepo, 66.18 per cent; Oyo West, 63.95 per cent and Ido, 63.62 per cent.

    Arulogun noted that these were the top five councils with good results in this year’s examinations.

    According to him, Ibarapa North Local Government Area recorded 34.89 per cent; Surulere, 29.11 per cent; Ogbomoso South, 27.95 per cent; Itesiwaju, 21.01 per cent and Iwajowa, 10.28.

    Arulogun said the listed councils had the least of candidates with a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English.

    He said: “This is below our target as we are competing both within ourselves and at the national level. We want to reclaim our status as the Pace Setter. So, many policies have been introduced to ensure that our aspirations on quality education for the people of the state are achieved.

    “We have cancelled automatic promotion in schools and introduced the School Government Board (SGB) OYOMESI, Education Trust Fund (ETF), WAEC Boot Camp, extra-mural classes, workers’ review for optimisation of work force.

    “These and many other state government’s initiatives are yielding results.”

  • YABATECH gets exam ethics marshals

    TO curtail examination fraud, the Exam Ethics Marshals International has extended its tentacles to the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

    Exam Ethics Marshal is a Non-Governmental Organisation advocacy group dedicated to promoting and ensuring best practices in education.

    The event, which held at the school’s campus, saw EEM inducting 30 lecturers and 40 students.

    Speaking at the event, the Founding Chairman of the organisation, Ike Onyechere, said  the inductees are charged to uphold zero tolerance to examination malpractices in the school.

    “The induction is in line with our new strategy to take it down to institutions to train and inaugurate the marshals with a view to institutionalising the campaign so that it will not just rest in the hands of one person, but be collective to sustain good exam practices. It is also in line to get institutions to become friends and partner of the organisation,” Onyechere said.

    He explained that EEM has been a success story since inception in 1996. Though the campaign has not completely stopped the misconduct; but has, to a large extent, reduced its index in Nigeria, Onyechere added.

    “When we started the national exam malpractice index was about 23 to 27. That is, in every examination conducted you must catch at least 23 people of exam malpractice.

    “But today, the national exam malpractice index is 11. We have been able to sensitise the people about malpractice. Everyone has agreed that examination malpractice is one of the greatest challenges facing the education sector and also the challenge the anti corruption war is facing,” he said.

    The Deputy Rector of the insitution, Omobayo Raheem, noted that the war against exam fraud needed to be further intensified.

    “Examination malpractice has been a cankerworm that has been troubling the nation over the years and it has become so endemic and worrisome just like corruption, that if it is not killed, it is likely to kill us.”

    It has become so common that those who are just entering school whether at the primary, secondary or tertiary level, do not see anything new about it. They even see it as something they should engage in. This is what we want to stamp out in Nigeria.

    “Something drastic has to be done. Students bring in tips some even bring notes, textbooks to exam hall. They write tips on any part of their bodies. All those areas of the female body that are meant to be hidden are now used to perpetrate unethical conducts. Even the scarfs they tie on their head, do not trust that scarf. You need to search thoroughly, you could be surprised at the contents,” Raheem said.

    He bemoaned scenarios where lectures collude with their students to commit some misconducts. He advised stakeholders to shun exam malpractice to produce qualitative and problem-solving graduates.

  • YABATECH gets exam ethics marshals

    In its bid to curtail examination fraud, the Exam Ethics Marshals International, has extended its tentacles to the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

    Exam Ethics Marshal is a Non Governmental Organisation advocacy group dedicated to promoting and ensuring best practices in education.

    The event, which held at the school’s campus, saw EEM inducting 30 lecturers and 40 students.

    Speaking at the event, the Founding Chairman of the organisation, Ike Onyechere, said  the inductees are charged to uphold zero tolerance to examination malpractices in the school.

    “The induction is in line with our new strategy to take it down to institutions to train and inaugurate the marshals with a view to institutionalising the campaign so that it will not just rest in the hands of one person, but be collective to sustain good exam practices. It is also in line to get institutions to become friends and partner of the organisation,” Onyechere said.

    He explained that EEM has been a success story since inception in 1996. Though the campaign has not completely stopped the misconduct; but has, to a large extent, reduced its index in Nigeria, Onyechere added

    “When we started the national exam malpractice index was about 23 to 27. That is, in every examination conducted you must catch at least 23 people of exam malpractice.

    “But today, the national exam malpractice index is 11. We have been able to sensitise the people about malpractice. Everyone has agreed that examination malpractice is one of the greatest challenges facing the education sector and also the challenge the anti corruption war is facing” he said.

    The Deputy Rector of the school, Omobayo Raheem, noted that the war against exam fraud needs to be further intensified.

    “Examination malpractice has been a cankerworm that has been troubling the nation over the years and it has become so endemic and worrisome just like corruption, that if it is not killed, it is likely to kill us”

    It has become so common that those who are just entering school whether at the primary, secondary or tertiary level, do not see anything new about it. They even see it as something they should engage in. This is what we want to stamp out in Nigeria.

    “Something drastic has to be done. Students bring in tips some even bring notes, textbooks to exam hall. They write tips on any part of their bodies. All those areas of the female body that are meant to be hidden are now used to perpetrate unethical conducts. Even the scarfs they tie on their head, do not trust that scarf. You need to search thoroughly, you could be surprised at the contents,” Raheem said.

    He bemoaned scenarios where lectures collude with their students in all sort of ways to execute misconducts. He advised stakeholders to shun exam malpractice in order to produce qualitative and problem-solving graduates.

  • UNIOSUN student leads Ukraine varsity’s medical exam

    UNIOSUN student leads Ukraine varsity’s medical exam

    A medical student of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Miss Oyeleye Lateefat Abiola, has emerged the overall best of the 546 final year Medical students of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine.

    She is among the 85 medical students of UNIOSUN sponsored by the Rauf Aregbesola administration in 2012 to complete their studies at the foreign university, one of the oldest in Eastern Europe.

    Abiola led other students in the examination with 95.9 per cent.

    A statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, said 50 of the 85 students, including Abiola, became medical doctors after passing the Krok 2 Exams.

    Baderinwa said all the 50 UNIOSUN students, who wrote the final examinations among the 546 medical students of the university, passed, from the result released earlier on Sunday.

    The commissioner said the students will have their convocation on June 30.

    He recalled that the students, who gained admission into UNIOSUN in 2007, would have had their ambition of becoming medical doctor cut short because of the non-availability of a medical school to further their education.

    Baderinwa said the Rauf Aregbesola administration sent them to the medical school in Ukraine.

    The commissioner, who congratulated the medical students on behalf of the state government, said Aregbesola had offered to assist the parents of the students to get visas to attend the convocation of the 50 students in Ukraine.

    He said the remaining 35 final set of the UNIOSUN Medical students will graduate in May 2018.

  • NGO organises UTME mock exam

    The Coordinator of Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI), Kwara State branch, Dr Yakub Saheed,  said 104 applicants for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) benefited from a free mock examination organised by the NGO.

    Saheed told reporters at the venue of the examination, Lamp Bearer Nursery and Primary School, Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin that examination malpractice had taken a new dimension.

    He said the target of the AEI was to prepare students for the UTME and to ensure that those who were not captured in the mock examination organised by JAMB were given another chance.

    Saheed lamented that school proprietors and principals were compromising morals, aiding malpractices, hence the need to bring back sanity into the system.

    He said there was decline in the education sector when compared to what was obtainable before.

    Saheed observed that there was poor knowledge of ICT among students, saying that knowledge of ICT, however, was integral to succeed in UTME.

    He noted that resources were pooled together by members of the group to finance the scheme, which is being replicated across the country.

    “Our entire programmes are tailored towards encouraging students’ excellence and moral uprightness.

    “This is just to contribute our own quota to the development of the education system in the country.”