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The Federal Government has announced a three-year ban on students caught cheating in any national examination. The ban will apply across all major exam bodies, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
The directive was contained in an official circular dated May 27, 2025, and signed by JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin. It was issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as part of ongoing efforts to curb examination malpractice in the country.
According to the circular, any student found guilty of cheating will not be allowed to sit for external examinations for three years. The ban will be enforced using the candidate’s National Identification Number (NIN), which is a compulsory requirement for all exam candidates. The government said the move is intended to discourage malpractice among students and parents and to restore integrity to the examination process in Nigeria.
In addition to the student sanctions, the new policy also targets schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres involved in malpractice. Any centre found aiding cheating or operating as a so-called “miracle centre” will be blacklisted for a period determined by the relevant examination body.
Furthermore, if a school or centre is sanctioned by one exam body, other examination bodies are expected to follow suit and enforce the same penalty, ensuring consistent punishment across the board.
JAMB stated that this directive aligns with existing laws, including the Examination Malpractices Act, which allows for the withdrawal of recognition from institutions involved in misconduct. Exam bodies are also encouraged to share the names of such centres to enable coordinated enforcement. The government believes these measures will serve as a strong warning to exam cheats and those who support them.
