EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES ACT

An Act criminalizes examination malpractices such as impersonation and cheating in Nigeria. It targets students, invigilators, and examination bodies. This maintains the integrity of educational qualifications and deters fraud.

What Is This Policy?

An Act criminalising examination malpractice in Nigeria including impersonation, leakage of examination papers, use of unauthorised materials, and related offences, to protect the integrity of academic and professional qualifications.

Who Does It Target?

Students and candidates sitting examinations Examination invigilators and supervisors Examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, JAMB, NPC) Educational institutions hosting examinations

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Deter examination fraud, protect the value of Nigerian educational certificates, punish those who facilitate malpractice, and maintain public confidence in the examination system.

Key Features

Malpractice Offences: Defines examination malpractice broadly to include impersonation, use of cheat sheets, bribing invigilators, and leaking papers. Severe Penalties: Convictions carry prison terms of up to 21 years or fines, recognising the long-term damage of certificate fraud. Accomplice Liability: Invigilators, school staff, and examination body officials who facilitate malpractice are equally liable. Certificate Cancellation: Results obtained through malpractice are cancelled and cannot be used.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All examinations conducted in Nigeria Beneficiaries: Honest students; employers; educational credibility Funding: Federal Government

How to Access

Report suspected malpractice to the relevant examination body or the Ministry of Education Examination bodies must maintain secure paper custody and invigilator training Application method: Report malpractice to WAEC, NECO, JAMB or the Ministry of Education.

Important Terms

Impersonating a candidate at an examination carries up to 21 years imprisonment Electronic device possession in examination halls is prohibited Employers who use fraudulent certificates may also face liability

Official Resources

Website: https://www.examethics.gov.ng Contact: Examination Ethics Marshals / Federal Ministry of Education

Legal Framework

Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly as the Examination Malpractices Act (Cap E16 LFN 2004). Operates alongside the National Examinations Council (NECO) Act, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Act, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Act, and the Criminal Code Act on forgery and fraud. Aligns with the National Policy on Education and the UNESCO guidelines on examination integrity.