Examination malpractice has grown into one of the deepest problems confronting Nigeria’s education system.
The practice ranges from impersonation and collusion to the use of foreign materials in examination halls.
From secondary schools to tertiary institutions, cases of organised cheating continue to appear in different forms.
What was once occasional misconduct has now become a widespread challenge undermining trust in certificates.
In many centres, invigilators are overwhelmed by the scale of malpractice or become complicit in the process.
National examinations have frequently been flagged for irregularities, with reports of leaked papers and coordinated cheating.
Private examination centres in some communities have been identified as hotspots for organised malpractice.
The consequences extend beyond the classroom, eroding the credibility of educational qualifications.
Employers increasingly question the competence of graduates who are unable to defend their results.
The culture of malpractice encourages shortcuts and discourages hard work among young people.
When students achieve success without merit, the value of honesty as a social principle is weakened.
Over time, the habit formed in the classroom spreads into other aspects of professional and civic life.
This creates a ripple effect where corruption and dishonesty become normalised across institutions.
Education is expected to serve as the foundation of discipline, knowledge and nation building.
When its foundation is compromised, the broader society bears the cost in lost skills and reduced productivity.
Research outputs are also affected when students and scholars recycle plagiarised work.
Such practices limit innovation, originality and the growth of knowledge-based industries.
The damage is not only academic but also moral, as young people learn to value results above integrity.
Malpractice also disadvantages students who choose to follow the rules and study diligently.
This discourages effort, leading to a decline in the reading culture across schools.
The government has established laws and penalties to address malpractice, but enforcement remains weak.
Many cases go unpunished, emboldening those who view malpractice as a guaranteed path to success.
The spread of digital devices has added new dimensions, from online leaks to real-time answer sharing.
In rural areas, poor supervision and limited resources make examinations vulnerable to abuse.
The economic cost is also significant, as resources spent on administering exams lose value when results are unreliable.
Communities lose trust in the system when certificates no longer reflect genuine knowledge.
The country loses global credibility when its educational standards are questioned internationally.
Tackling malpractice requires a combination of strict enforcement, better monitoring and stronger institutions.
Technology such as biometric verification and secure examination platforms can help reduce impersonation.
Awareness campaigns in schools can reinforce the importance of discipline and honesty.
Parents, teachers and communities have a role to play in shaping the values of students.
When integrity is rewarded and dishonesty penalised, the system begins to regain credibility.
Restoring honesty in examinations is not only about passing tests but about rebuilding trust in the future.
If unchecked, the cycle of malpractice risks weakening Nigeria’s ability to compete in a knowledge-driven world.
Broken standards in schools today could translate to broken systems in governance, business and society tomorrow.
Ending exam malpractice is therefore essential for the survival of both education and national integrity.
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