The West African Examinations Council, WAEC has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice as the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates continues across the country.
Despite some initial challenges, the Council reports that the conduct of the examination, which commenced in April, has been progressing smoothly. In a statement issued on Tuesday, WAEC emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination and warned against the activities of individuals attempting to subvert the process through fraudulent means.
“This is a clarion call to all well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate with WAEC to ensure that the fraudulent activities of certain unscrupulous elements are frustrated,” the statement read. “We must not allow their actions to erode the diligent efforts of candidates who have prepared tirelessly for this examination.”
As part of its efforts to combat malpractice, WAEC reiterated critical guidelines for candidates. Among these is the requirement for all candidates to be seated in the examination hall before the start of each paper. Supervisors have been instructed to report any cases of lateness.
More significantly, the Council disclosed that it has deployed advanced technological tools to track and identify candidates who engage with rogue websites or attempt to access leaked exam materials online.
“Candidates who are found to have posted or received live questions or answers via the internet or social media will have their entire results withheld pending investigation,” WAEC stated, adding that if found culpable, such candidates will have their results cancelled and may face prosecution by the Nigeria Police.
WAEC also announced the continued use of its Candidates Identity Verification, Attendance, Malpractice, and Post Examinations Management System (CIVAMPEMS), which enables the Council to:
- Verify candidate identities to prevent impersonation;
- Track attendance at examination centers; and
- Record instances of malpractice for post-examination review.
The Council warned that examination malpractice undermines educational standards and poses a serious threat to national development.
“It is a cancer in the education sector which requires a multidimensional approach for total annihilation,” the statement noted, calling for stronger collaboration with stakeholders, including schools, parents, and security agencies.
WAEC reiterated its dedication to maintaining world-class standards in educational assessment, assuring the public that it will continue to protect the credibility of its examinations.