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Tag: malpractice

  • Tackling malpractices in ‘miracle centres’

    Tackling malpractices in ‘miracle centres’

    The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle mass examination malpractices perpetrated in ‘Miracle Centres’. Cutting corners to pass examinations has not only undermined the integrity of the whole exercise, but is a dampener on the hard work of other candidates, who burn the proverbial midnight candle. Thus, government’s resolve to sanitise the nation’s education system and preserve the sanctity of various external examinations resonates with stakeholders. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE, DIVINE JOSEPH and JOY ANYANWU report.

    Cutting corners and cheating is an age-long practice in the education space. Candidates, who failed to prepare for examinations, see it as a fast route to undeserved success and an avenue to supplant those who have toiled and burned the proverbial midnight candle. Sadly, in this part of the world, there is little that distinguishes hard work from fraud with the ultimate aim being to succeed.

    Enter Miracle Examination Centres

    Observers reckoned that examination malpractices have taken deep roots in society such that parents encourage dishonesty by paying huge amounts to operators of what are popularly known as Miracle Centres or Special Centres for their wards to pass examinations. The idea is that society approves of the aberration since parents want their children to make excellent grades at all costs.

    The so-called centres did not just come over night. They came gradually as a result of mediocrity, laziness and non-seriousness on the part of pupils and encouragement of parents.

    The “miracle centres” mostly operate at private schools. They ensure examination questions are leaked in advance or compromise the examinations once the question papers reach the venue.

    Critics argued that apart from parental and peer influence, poor teaching and learning practices contribute to the proliferation of the centres. It is also believed that managements of schools, who want to be seen as having best results, are part of the problem. Thus, they want to attract huge patronage. Pupils, parents and community members or groups are alleged guilty of aiding malpractices.

    Huge profit inspires the private schools generally and the centres to cut corners. The Nation’s checks revealed that due to high patronage, their rates could be over 300 per cent the actual registration fees as directed by examination bodies. Tutorial centres are not left behind as they take candidates to the most trusted “miracle centres” and once they “succeed”, they attract more students to register with them.

    Experts noted that the remote drivers of these practices revolve around educational policies, institutions and the formal structures guiding school-related activities. Rogue examiners employed to supervise the examinations use their position to shield illegal activities, acting with owners of the “miracle centres”.

    School curricula upon which the examinations are based appear to be difficult and sometimes not taught in class, thus pupils make do with the centres to bridge the gap.

    Alausa goes tough on malpractices

    Thus, when the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that plans are underway to rid the nation of examination malpractices and the centres, not a few operators would have feared the worst.

    Last week on a national television, the minister said the ministry would tackle examination malpractices and foster a fair academic system. Alausa noted that allowing students to cheat during examinations is a form of injustice to those who have worked hard genuinely to earn excellent grades.

    “We have problems with examination malpractices, which we are addressing frontally as a government. This is not acceptable because if you let people cheat, you will disincentivise the hardworking people. We will tackle this issue of miracle centres, this pervasive exam cheating decisively.

    “We would bring a complete end to this menace that has invaded our educational system.”

    He emphasised government’s commitment to tackling widespread examination malpractices and enhancing the overall quality of the nation’s educational assessments. Alausa noted that addressing examination leakages requires a holistic approach, stressing that students are not the only culprits in examination malpractices.

    “I will monitor it so closely. If it doesn’t stop, there will be consequences. This entire indiscipline and racketeering in our exam system must stop. It’s absolute nonsense,” he said.

    Statistics on malpractices

    Statistics revealed that in 2024, a total of 215,267 candidates (11.92 per cent of the total) who wrote the internal SSCE of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had their results withheld in connection with various reported cases of exam malpractice.

    Also in 2023, a much higher 16.29 per cent of the sitting candidates had their results withheld for similar reasons.

    The National Examination Council (NECO) reported that 8,437 and 12,030 candidates, who wrote its SSCE in 2024 and 2023 respectively, committed malpractice.

    Read Also: Oyedepo warns new students of Covenant University against exam malpractice

    Stakeholders unite against unethical practices

     Deputy National President National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, described the move by the minister as a fantastic one. He decried the situation whereby parents subscribe to the centres for their wards’ sake.

    He said: “It is a good one and a fantastic development. Miracle Centres try to ensure students registered with them meet up with good grades and cut off marks. They charge high fees and gullible parents pay. NAPTAN is in support of the minister’s move. He should ensure all these are not possible anymore. There are thousands of students, who patronise these centres and that means they will not be able to take exams independently. Government should now encourage schools to rely on themselves and maintain high standards. Their activities are fraudulent and exploitative. They must not continue.

    ‘‘Parents who encourage such are irresponsible. Even some sit for exams for their children. It is irresponsible parenting. There should now be exam integrity centres instead of miracle centres.”

    Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Hassan Akintoye, harped on the need to bring back old value systems, integrity, honesty, transparency and high moral standards. In an interview with The Nation, he not only supported the minister’s resolve to foster academic integrity, but also called for a moral rebirth.

    He said: “As a teacher, I don’t see how miracle can come into the life of a student in the journey of knowledge acquisition. Are they healing lepers or raising the dead there?  I am in total support of the honourable minister to ensure that what is not in the context of educating is removed from it.

    “It is about the value system. We must go back and retrace our steps on those norms and values we cherished in those days, that will make someone to work talk if academically sound. Have we been able to sustain those values? What kind of criteria do we set for people who occupy positions of authority and leadership in the country today?  Even when found wanting, how do we address the issue?

    ‘‘We celebrate those who can sing rather than those who are academically sound. We place emphasis on connections and certification, hence people cut corners.

    “If we can get the value system right, everything will be right. Education is about three things – knowledge acquisition, skill acquisition and sustenance of good values in society so that the knowledge and skills acquired overtime will be utilised to advance the nation. In advanced nation, they use knowledge acquired to better the lot of their country.”

    Mr. Femi Mfon, a parent said eradicating “miracle centres” is for the good of pupils.

    “For the kind of society we find ourselves, it should be banned.  When Buhari said Nigerian youths are lazy, I accepted because malpractice is laziness,” he said.

    He said malpractice makes it difficult for pupils to get acquainted to their studies and they end up not being able to defend their certificates.  Principal of Adetola Comprehensive College, Mr. Tope Odutan, said the centres should be eradicated to avoid educated illiterates. He said he has put several measures in place to ensure exam integrity at his centre.

    “They have extended lectures and they do individual teachings that are teaching themselves. This would create room for them to believe in themselves and know their level of preparedness. I preach it and I act it. If they fail their exams in school they repeat,” he said.  He stated that the centres are more expensive because they buy new uniforms, identity cards and they even pay money per paper. Economically and morally, miracle centres are bad,” he added.

    Mrs. Anyanwu Abosede, a teacher in Christfield Private School, Lagos, said she does not support special centres or “miracle centres”. She noted that schools and tutorial centres had imbibed such strategies for candidates “success”.

    According to her, there is no need for such centres or seeking the shortest route to academic success, if things are done accordingly and teachers teach effectively and pupils are committed to learning. She berated parents who intentionally contribute to the destruction of their wards’ lives, erroneously believing they are helping them.

  • Five convicted of exam fraud, malpractice

    he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday said it had secured conviction of five persons, who were involved in examination fraud and malpractice during the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The five persons were among the 100 suspects arrested by security operatives nationwide during the UTME last month.

    They are expected to serve between three months and two years jail term.

    The board said three of the suspects were convicted in Zamfara State and two in Kebbi State.

    It disclosed this in its weekly bulletin released by its Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, to reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    He said with the conviction of the suspects, it was clear to all that the judiciary was not what Nigerians “erroneously thought it is.”

    Benjamin said the convictions are part of the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede’s determination to stamp out corruption and all crimes associated with examination malpractice.

    “Five persons who were involved in one form of exam malpractice in the just concluded 2019 UTME have been convicted. As of Sunday, three suspects from Zamfara State and two from Kebbi have been convicted of periods of three months to two years.

    ”No fewer than 123 suspects are standing trial in various courts on one form of infraction or the other. With the conviction of the five suspects, the board urges the judiciary to continue on this path and to ensure that all suspects arraigned with sufficient facts are convicted,” the bulletin said.

    He said the board has put an end to all forms of lip service in the fight against examination malpractice.

    ”With this conviction, the board has put to end all lip service in the fight against examination malpractice. The four-decade examination body is not joking in her avowed commitment to put behind bars the unscrupulous elements that are trying to circumvent the process of conducting credible examination in line with best global practices.

    “The public are enjoined to join hands with JAMB to sustain the restored glory and strengthen the board’s fight against infractions and lay solid foundation for tertiary education in Nigeria through fielding competent hands that will nurture the economy,” it added.

  • WAEC, stakeholders dialogue on malpractice

    Acting Head of Test Administration for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mrs Francisca Iweha-Onukwu, has called on all stakeholders in the education sector to join in fighting examination malpractice.

    Giving her opening remarks at the 2016 National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Examination Malpractice held at Dansol High School, Ogba, Mrs Iweha-Onukwu said the war against examination malpractice cannot be won by examining bodies alone, without the cooperation of parents, teachers, proprietors, and others.

    She said it was important to check examination malpractice because of its adverse effect on the society.

    “When extraneous factors affect the conduct of an examination, the purposes which the results of such examinations are meant to serve are also affected. Such purposes could include determination of level of achievement, promotion, admission, employment or even the licensing of the practice of a profession,” she said.

    In a paper titled: “Examination Malpractice, Causes, Sanctions, and Remedies”, the Senior Assistant Registrar, Head of Examination, Ikeja, Mrs Alero John-Nwafa, identified many causes of examination malpractices, including: “poor infrastructure, emphasis on certificate, parental pressure, poor supervision of candidates, poor coverage of syllabuses,” among others.

    She said the effect of perpetrating examination malpractice not only leads to cancellation of results but a loss of confidence in the education system.

    Mrs John-Nwafa also read a list of consequences that follow being caught as an exam cheat, which include cancelation of subject or entire results of candidates, and ban or imposition of fine (N250,000) on schools involved.

    To check examination malpractice, she recommended that the values of students be re-oriented; schools be equipped with requisite facilities and employ qualified teachers; parents should pay more attention to their wards, among others.  She also called for the establishment of a body to deal with offenses.

    “There should be a special commission against examination malpractice like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC,” she said.

    The paper generated discussions by a panel of seasoned test administrators and educators.  Teachers and pupils among the audience also contributed their views.

    Mr Abiodun Oni, a representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education warned that failure to check examination malpractice could increase unrest in the society.

    “If examination malpractice is not eradicated totally, the society will not have any rest.  You will have people displaying professional misconduct at every level,” he warned.

    Alhaji Kafar Babatunde, Ag Head of Test Development, WAEC, blamed poor facilities in school and parental pressure for examination malpractices.  He said many public schools lack facilities to prepare their candidates for public examination.

    “I was in a state, exam was starting the next week and they were asking schools to come for laboratory equipment.  It means the students had not been doing practical. Definitely, it would encourage malpractice,” he said.

    Kafar also shared how a parent sought his help to give expo to her son so he could pass.  He said he gave the boy past questions instead.

    “When I gave him the past questions, he was very sad.  But he studied them and passed very well.  After that, he respected me,” he said.

    Kafar said it was a shame that WAEC can no longer keep question papers ahead of time in custody of school principals like in the past.

    “In those days the question papers were kept with principals and the scripts collected some days after the examination.  Can we do that now?  If you know the stress WAEC is going through to conduct examination, you would pity us.  By 4am, when exam is on, our staff will be on the road because we cannot give question papers to anybody.  We used to give questions to banks, police station, imams, pastors…they all betrayed us,” he lamented.

    Principal of Faith Academy, Gowon Estate, Mr Ishola Ayoade, warned pupils to desist from examination malpractice because the success it brings does not last.

    “Examination malpractice looks like an easy route to success.  It is fast but does not last.  It denies you of the true definition of success.  You cannot have true success without hard work,” he said.

    For teachers of Lagos public schools, being implicated as abetting examination malpractices has dire consequences, said Mr Moshood Rafiu of the Lagos State Ministry of Education.  He said teachers who were caught in the past were demoted, dismissed or issued serious warning.  He also said public schools de-recognised for perpetrating examination malpractice did not get help from the government to pay the N250,000 fine to WAEC.

    Ruth Lawal, a pupil of Abibat Mogaji Senior Secondary School, Ojodu, said some pupils may be forced to cheat in exams because they stay with guardians who do not support their education fully.

    “Most pupils living with guardians find it difficult to study.  Eighty per cent of guardians do not encourage their wards to study.  They load them with too many chores,” she said.

  • WAEC blames private schools for lingering malpractice

    WAEC blames private schools for lingering malpractice

    •Council cancels results of candidates
    involved in 2015 Nov/Dec WASSCE

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has said that private schools’ registration of non-students for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) constitutes a hindrance to its fight against examinations’ malpractice.

    It observed that the level of examination malpractices reduced in 2015 November/December diet of the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)compared to 2014 and 2013.

    The council has, however, cancelled the results of candidates involved in examination malpractice during the 2015 WASSCE.

    In a communiqué released after its 61st meeting of the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) – the highest decision-making organ of the council- in March and signed by the council’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Demianus Ojijeogu, the committee enjoined state governments to sanction erring proprietors and schools to serve as a deterrent.

    The communiqué said the meeting of the council’s NEC was held on Wednesday, March 30 and Thursday, March 31 in Lagos. It said that the committee also discussed the reports received on irregularity, special and clemency cases arising from the conduct of the 2015 May/June WASSCE.

    The communiqué said: “The committee decried the situation whereby private schools who do not have regular students register candidates for school examinations and also observed the high incidence of examination malpractice in private schools due largely to the registration of non-students for and enjoined the state governments to sanction erring proprietors and schools to serve as a deterrent.”

    The NEC approved appropriate sanctions in all established cases of malpractice, as prescribed by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the council’s examinations.

    It approved that the results of candidates involved in proven cases, which attract Cancellation of Entire Results (CER) to be cancelled as well as results of those involved in proven cases, which attract Cancellation of Subject Results (CSR).

    The statement added that some candidates would also suffer other sanctions such as “barring them from sitting for the council’s examinations for a certain number of years while some schools will be derecognised.”

    The communiqué stressed that the decisions of the committee would be implemented immediately and the affected candidates and schools would be notified by the council.

    It said the results of candidates, who were exonerated by the committee would be released.

    For states with high cases of examination malpractice, the committee resolved that WAEC, through its state offices, would partner with the Ministries of Education in those states for thorough policing and monitoring of examination centres during the WASSCE to forestall examination fraud.

    The committee lauded WAEC and state governments for their roles in the reduced cases of malpractices during the last examination in 2015, in comparison with 2013 and 2014.

    “The committee, having observed that ‘collusion’ had the highest percentage of examination malpractice cases recorded in the 2015 WASSCE for private candidates, hailed the council for developing a software to defeat collusion by candidates in multiple choice questions in its examinations,” the statement read.

    Concerning last year’s examinations, NEC noted that the standard of the papers compared well with those of previous years.

    “With regard to the General Résumé of the Chief Examiners’ Reports on the November/ December 2015 WASSCE, the committee noted the observation by the chief examiners that the standard of the papers compared well with those of previous years. The chief examiners generally reported that the instructions were clear; questions were well-structured, straightforward and within the scope of the syllabus. They also agreed that the marking schemes were exhaustive and that marks were well distributed,” it said.

  • Examination malpractice and the media

    Ever wondered why there seems to be a decline in the learning attitude of students in Nigeria? You may also wonder why hard work is now a rare virtue among students in Nigeria. Pause for a moment and reminisce on the countless number of half-baked or even unbaked graduates that roam the streets of this country. They cry foul even though they are evidently unqualified for the jobs they seek. The reason for this aberration is that our educational value system has been debased and the thirst for knowledge and reward for merit have been replaced by a mere pursuit of a document called a degree.

    The value and functionality of any educational system lies in its ability to translate goals into real, tangible impact for the students. Till date, examinations still remain a very important tool for an objective assessment and evaluation of what learners have learnt and achieved after a period of schooling. The Examination Malpractice Act 1999 explains examination malpractice as any act of omission or commission by a person who in anticipation of, before, during or after any examination, fraudulently secures any unfair advantage for himself or any other person in such a manner that contravenes the rules and regulations to the extent of undermining the validity, reliability, authenticity of the examination and ultimately the integrity of the certificate issued.

    Examination malpractice is any irregular behavior exhibited by a candidate or anybody charged with the conduct of examination before, during or after the examination that contravenes the rules and regulations governing the conduct of such examination. Though, examination malpractice is neither a recent phenomenon nor peculiar to Nigeria. But the alarming rate of the scourge in secondary schools in Nigeria calls for concern from all stakeholders in the education sector. The effects of examination malpractice have become so widespread that there is virtually no examination anywhere at all levels and outside the formal school system without any form of malpractice.

    According to research, it has been proven that parents, guardians, teachers, proprietors and proprietresses of private schools, external examiners – in the case of external examinations such as WASSCE, GCE and UTME – have been identified as agents of examination malpractices. Some parents and guardians often change or send their children to “special centres” for external examination. They also pay to purchase examination questions for their children. Others prefer to bribe examiners or invigilators to aid or facilitate the chances of their wards during examinations. Other agents of examination malpractices are lazy students who seek short cuts to get through the system.

    What do you expect of a student who is insufficiently prepared for an examination? Cheating naturally becomes the only option. And unfortunately, students have perfected the various forms of cheating in the examination halls. Some of the methods employed include the smuggling of foreign materials into the examination halls. These foreign materials include prepared notes and materials written on palms, thighs and textbooks and they also come in with various tricks like ‘hide-and-seek’ and gadgets like micro-chips and magic text, all designed to assist them to pass the examination instead of relying on their own abilities.

    Other unwholesome scheming of exam cheats borders on outright stealing of others’ work, converting or misappropriating other candidates’ scripts, substitution of scripts at the end of the examination and so on. There are others referred to as “towing” and “ECOMOG” which involve candidates arranging with mercenaries to execute their evil strategies.

    The whole mess is further exacerbated by students whose penchant for success lacks a corresponding emphasis on legitimate means in achieving same.  Closely linked with the above is the proliferation of unqualified teachers in our institutions who are ready to sell grades at the drop of a hat.  And such disposition raises pertinent questions as regards their understanding of education to mankind.

    There is this saying that when the teacher breaks the board, what will be the action of the student? If the teachers and supposed role models fail to lead by example, what will the students do rather than engage themselves in examination malpractices just to pass and get out of school? And what do you make of a lecturer who cannot defend his own certificate?  What do you make of a lecturer who cannot speak correct English when delivery a lecture? What sort of knowledge is he going to pass to the naïve students?

    As f to compound problems even more, the emphasis on Nigeria’s education system is largely certificate oriented, translating to a tacit downplay of knowledge in place of a paper certification. Until we begin to revere real, transformative knowledge in our society, we will continue to churn out a swarming army of misfits and quacks as graduates.

    The Examination Malpractice Act 33 of 1999 stipulates a minimum punishment of N50, 000 and a maximum of five years imprisonment, without option of fine, for violators. But this Act seems like a toothless bulldog since offenders are hardly made to face the penalties. Some schools are fond of sweeping the mess under the carpet while the culprit gets only a pat on the back.  We proclaimed 2015 general election in Nigeria as free and fair. Yet, one wonders when examinations in our schools will equally experience such transparency and public confidence.

    Parents, government, religious groups and the media must brace up for an education system that is competitive. Our legislations should begin to give education the attention it truly deserves. Education is the lifeblood of any society. The quality of attention and resources available for the improvement of education in a given society determines, to a large extent, the future of that society. We must begin to give attention to what is truly paramount to our collective future.

     

    • Doreen, 200-Level Mass Comm., UNIBEN

     

  • Parents encourage exam malpractice’

    A school proprietor, Mrs. Tosan Williams, has said many parents encourage their wards to commit examination malpractices in private schools.

    The proprietor of Macqueen’s Nursery, Primary and High School in Alegbo-Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, spoke on Monday at the opening of the school’s 30th anniversary.

    She said most parents searched for schools where their children and wards could easily pass their examinations, irrespective of their preparedness for such examinations.

    Mrs Williams said: “These parents don’t care about the educational capabilities of their children, especially the grades they make and in most cases, boycott schools with strict measures and rules to ensure that they bag the required credits.”

    The proprietor said funding had become a major problem in private schools. Where loans were available. She added that stringent conditions given by financial institutions made it almost impossible for them to obtain the loans.

    Her school, which was founded in 1985, has produced over 50 doctors, engineers and other professionals, including a professor currently in Scotland.

    Also, the principal, Prince Lanre Ikediashi, said the school underscores high moral and Christian values as well as entrepreneurial training.

    “Macqueen’s Nursery, Primary and High School is 30! It has been 30 years of unparalleled success in training fully-bred school leavers who are among the best in every aspect of life and in major cities of the world,” he said.

     

  • WAEC warns schools, parents against malpractice

    WAEC warns schools, parents against malpractice

    National Head of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, Charles Eguridu, has issued a warning against parents and schools that engage in organised malpractice, saying they would be caught and dealt with.

    He gave the warning at a WAEC road show on examination malpractice sensitisation, at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos.

    Eguridu said parents and schools that engage in mass cheating are liable to dire consequences, including persecution by the state.

    To this end, he said WAEC had employed greater measures in combating malpractice, some of which are biometric technology, which identifies each candidate by fingerprint, encrypted method of storing examination questions, such that they cannot be accessed by unauthorised personnel as well as  impromptu inspection of examination centres while exams are ongoing.

    The WAEC boss decried the increasing wave of examination malpractice in Nigeria over the last four years.

    According to WAEC statistics, in 2011, 4.65 per cent of the total candidates that sat for WAEC engaged in malpractice; in 2012, it increased to 7.15 per cent, jumped to 7.75 per cent in 2013 and last year, 8.39 per cent of the 1, 692, 037 candidates who sat for the examinations were found culpable of examination fraud.

    Eguridu said an increasing statistics of malpractice would create a stain on the integrity of WAEC certificate in the international realm, engender mediocres in a society where perpetrators are not prosecuted and undermines the nation’s education system, making it difficult for education policies to be monitored.

    He said: “As a people, our shared and most cherished values appear to rest on the platform of hypocrisy, because what we witness in our private world is in contrast to our values. Those who rig elections are not children, they are parents. When electoral officers falsify election results and we expect something different from children, that is hypocrisy. The present trend of examination malpractice among our youths is a negative symptom of the endemic corruption in our society. An attempt to curb examination malpractice without first addressing the general scourge of society would be meaningless.”

    He appealed to candidates to avoid situations that could implicate them in the examination hall, so that their future would not be jeopardised.

    “I appeal to you as leaders of tomorrow, your tomorrow lies in your hands. As up and coming generation, please take a decision to be different. Don’t join the rat race in examination malpractice, because even if you win the race, you remain a rat. WAEC does not fail anybody. Whether you pass or fail, the choice lies with you”, he said.

  • Unaudited accounts: WAEC denies malpractice

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has denied reports that it has a case to answer for unaudited accounts running into billions.

    A statement by the council’s Public Affairs Officer, Ojijeogu Demianus, in Lagos, said the claims of fraud, lack of records and misappropriation published in some national dailies (not The Nation) were all false.

    “The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the reports on page 14 of the Monday, November 3, 2014 edition of the Vanguard newspaper titled “MISAPPLICATION OF FUNDS: Reps say WAEC has case to answer” as well as on the front page and on page 5 of the Monday, November 3, 2014 edition of the National Mirror newspaper titled “CBN, WAEC, others for probe over N168 billion unaudited accounts.

    “The allegations of ‘misapplication of several billions of naira’, ‘monumental fraud,’ ‘lack of records’ and ‘financial improprieties’ in the newspaper reports are baseless and unfounded,”the statement read in part.

    Contrary to the reports, WAEC noted that the council has audited its account up to December 2013.

    It continued: “The Council wishes to state that the convention, which guides its activities and operations in the five-member countries contains adequate provision for the audit of the Council’s accounts and the appointment of external auditors. In line with the Council’s convention the Council’s accounts of the Nigeria National Office have been audited up to December 2013 as required by the Law.

    “At the 200th meeting of the Nigeria Administrative and Finance Committee of the Council held in Minna, Niger State, on November 25, 2014, the Committee, while considering the external auditors’ report on the accounts of the Nigeria National Office for the year 2013, noted the report on the false and damaging publications in the Vanguard and National Mirror newspapers.

    “After listening to the Head of National Office’s presentation and studying the extracts showing the adoption of the Council’s audited accounts for 2011 and 2012, and considering the professional comments of the external auditors on the damaging publications in the newspapers, the Council, passed a vote of confidence on the Head of National Office and the Management of the Nigeria National Office.

    “Subsequent to presentation of its up-to-date audited accounts and explanations by the Council, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, where the damaging allegations supposedly originated, has since dismissed them as unfounded.”

     

  • Don’t take part in malpractice, VC urges students

    Students of Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, have been urged to avoid all forms of examination malpractice at the 2013/2014 second semester examination.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwole Amusan, said exams were to test the knowledge of students, adding that cheating must be avoided.

    The Registrar, Mr Olusegun Ojo, urged student to do their best and remain focused as they write their papers.

    Coordinator for General Studies, Dr Tobalase, said the examination in the school had always been free of malpractice.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus, students were seen reading in classrooms and library.

    Henry Ndidiaha, a 300-Level Economics student, urged his colleagues to show good conduct during the exercise.

  • Don’t be party to malpractice, freshers told

    Management of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) has held orientation for freshers. The event was held at the Main Auditorium of the Gidan Kwano campus and was graced by principal officers of the university.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Musbau Akanji, congratulated the freshers, urging them not to be party in examination malpractice, indecent dressing and other vices. He advised off-campus residents to live peacefully with the host community and respect the community values.

    Of the 10,000 candidates that applied to the institution, only 3,400 students were admitted.

    Esther Eloim admitted into Department of Chemistry, said: “I am overwhelmed with joy for finally being admitted after a few years of seeking admission. I thank God for the opportunity to study here and I hope to make an excellent result at the end of my stay here.”

    Chidera Uneakuji, 100-Level Biochemistry, said: “It is always a feeling to be admitted into university of this calibre. For me, it is a dream come true and I am grateful to God for the privilege.”