The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, on Thursday, announced that henceforth, examination certificates in Nigeria would now feature three key identifiers: National Identification Numbers, candidates’ photos, and birthdates. This the Minister said is to ensure the authenticity of results.
Alausa described examination malpractice as a growing threat to education in the country. He, therefore, warned that allowing the menace to persist would undermine the efforts of diligent students who are striving to improve themselves.
The Minister made the disclosure while speaking during the inauguration of the Committee on Improvement of Quality Examinations in Nigeria in Abuja.
He stated that Registrars of examination bodies had been ordered to implement this by the next examination periods.
“I have mandated all the Registrars of our examination bodies, such as WAEC, NECO, and NAPTEB, that by their next examinations scheduled for May, June, and July, there will be three identifiers on the certificates they issue.
“These identifiers will be the National Identification Number, NIN, of the candidates, the picture of the candidate on the certificates, and their date of birth.
“By having these three identifiers, we will ensure almost 100 per cent certainty in identifying candidates,” he stated.
The Minister also informed that the Government was targeting to transform its examination system to 100 per cent computer-based by 2027.
He said, “So, we’re planning that by 2027, all our exams will be computer-based. We will work so hard to ensure that happens. We have to use technology to help our endeavour.
“The Committee will also be working on local swapping of candidates.
“There are multiple participants in exam malpractices. From the student to parents, teachers, principals, and to even those regulating and supervising exam conduct.
“During this change, a lot of areas of compromise will happen. There will be people investigating and regulating the exams,” he said.
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