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Special Report :Examination Malpractice: Why, Who Is to Be Blamed, and What Is the Way Out ?

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1 year ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Examination malpractice a term that has become synonymous with irresponsibility and dishonesty in our society has manifested in various scenarios and for different reasons.

Unlike some crimes that often have accomplices justifying them, examination malpractice rarely sees its practitioners attempt to justify it. Ironically, it is one of the fastest-growing issues in our educational system.

Any action in an examination center that outrightly violates the stipulated rules and regulations for conducting an examination is referred to as examination malpractice.

In a bid to uncover the myth behind this practice, students, educationists, and like minds were engaged by Nigerian Tracker correspondent Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa. Below are their responses:

 

Educationists and Students React

While defining examination malpractice in the context of today’s educational system, seasoned educationist Engr. Abdulsalam Ojochogwu Adejoh posited:

“Introducing into an examination anything that is foreign to the examination rules, principles, and instructions as stated by the examiner will be considered examination malpractice.”

He also noted that malpractice is not only restricted to what happens during the examination or within the venue, but it also extends beyond the examination itself:

“In fact, examination malpractice goes beyond the examination hall,” Engr. Adejoh emphasized.

“Sometimes, even after students have written an examination, they meet teachers and bribe them to escape failure. That also constitutes examination malpractice,” he added.

He further outlined some causes of such practices: lack of preparation before an examination, forgetfulness of what one has read, and lack of discipline.

Although not all teachers are guilty, the educationist criticized the indiscipline of some who encourage malpractice at various levels of education:

“Well, in some cases not all some teachers are complicit in examination malpractice.”

“Such teachers would not be able to say ‘No, don’t do this’ to students caught in the act because they have been compromised.”

Busari Ahmad Bolakale, a final-year accounting student, also stated that anything that goes against examination ethics is considered malpractice:

“Examinations have ethics and a structure of conduct according to the body overseeing them. So anything that goes against these is automatically malpractice.”

He explained that malpractice can take several forms:

“It could be through oral communication among students during exams, the use of electronic or digital devices, or even sneaking in papers.”

He also disclosed that teachers sometimes become accomplices when they have personal relationships with students:

“Some teachers often overlook malpractice when it involves students they share a relationship with.”

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Peter Zacham Nayan, a 300-level Veterinary Medicine student, commented on the role schools play in curbing malpractice:

“Schools are putting in a lot of effort to eradicate examination malpractice despite setbacks from some teachers and parents who undermine the struggle.”

He elaborated:

“Some teachers help their favorite students before and even after examinations to get marks they didn’t earn.”

“Parents often threaten school management when their wards are punished for engaging in malpractice. These actions undermine the schools’ efforts.”

Aliyu A. Kasim, a 300-level Nursing student, offered a different perspective. He argued that poverty and unemployment are key reasons students engage in malpractice:

“Some students fend for themselves. The struggle to make a living and sponsor themselves through school leaves little time to study. When exams come, they resort to malpractice.”

“Also, some feel that even a first-class degree doesn’t guarantee a job. So the motivation to study hard isn’t there. They prefer to cheat and pass rather than study.”

Blessing Timothy Pwanemasa, also a Veterinary Medicine student, noted that lecturers warn students against bringing phones or gadgets into the exam hall:

“Lecturers usually warn us not to bring phones or gadgets that could implicate us. They advise us to leave them in our hostels before coming to the exam venue.”

She added that check-in exercises and seating arrangements help curb malpractice.

Mohammed Rashidat Nasir emphasized that many students read but forget what they studied:

“Some students have comprehension problems. They read but forget what they studied once in the exam hall.”

“While some engage in malpractice due to laziness, others do so because of a lack of confidence and fear of failure.”

 

What Could Be the Remedy?

Engr. Abdulsalam recommended that schools train their teaching staff and enforce strict punishment for offenders:

“Schools must train their staff regularly so they are acquainted with modern educational tools.”

“Students must be educated on what examination malpractice is, the harm it causes, and why it must be avoided.”

“There should be strict supervision to prevent communication or copying, even when students have the same questions.”

“Strict disciplinary actions and compliance must be enforced for students found guilty.”

Mr. Ahmad Busari expressed optimism that if schools focus on teaching students properly, malpractice will be curbed:

“If schools teach students to acquire knowledge in a structured way and examine them based on what they’ve learned, it will help eradicate malpractice.”

In contrast, Mohammed Rashidat Nasir argued that examinations should not be conducted at all:

“I strongly recommend that examinations should not be conducted.”

“Examinations are not the best way to test students’ brilliance or intelligence.”

She believes the pressure to prove brilliance in the exam hall drives students to cheat.

Mr. Peter suggested that schools should reduce class sizes:

“Admitting fewer students per class would make supervision during exams easier and more effective.”

Mr. Aliyu proposed that the government initiate programs to alleviate poverty and create jobs:

“If students see the benefits of studying hard and passing without cheating, fewer will engage in malpractice.”

“The government should create an enabling environment that rewards academic integrity.”

Miss Blessing recommended sensitizing students on personal values:

“Students should be sensitized on the virtues of responsibility, accountability, and fear of God. That way, examination malpractice will be reduced to the barest minimum.”

 

In summary, the government, parents, teachers, and students all share responsibility for examination malpractice. Therefore, efforts to curb it must come from each of these groups.

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President Tinubu Adds Days to Working Vacation, Returns at Weekend

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16 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria this weekend after extending his working vacation in Europe by a few days, the State House announced Monday evening.

The President departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation, which was initially expected to last three weeks. According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President has since relocated to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr. Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group.

Despite his absence, the statement emphasized that President Tinubu has remained actively engaged with domestic affairs, particularly directing an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

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The President has delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at official functions. However, Vice President Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly. In his absence, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will continue to represent the President at official engagements.

On the political front, the statement noted that Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country alongside other notable party leaders.

The extension comes as the President’s initial three-week vacation timeline elapsed, with the State House confirming he will now return to the country at the weekend.

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Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s N1 billion Suit Against ICPC, AGF, Police

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17 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday adjourned a N1 billion rights suit filed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others until October 27 for a definite hearing.

Others named in the suit are the Inspector-General (IG) of police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as the second and third respondents, respectively.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the suit to allow counsel to the former governor, Akinyemi Aremu, to respond to the counter affidavit filed by the AGF opposing the claims.

When the case was called, Mr Aremu informed the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing.

Counsel for the AGF, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, however, told the court that the AGF had filed a counter affidavit.

She prayed the court for leave to move their motion seeking an extension of time to deem their counter affidavit as being properly filed and served.

El-Rufai’s lawyer, Mr Aremu; Ezekiel Rimamsomte, who appeared for the IG, and the ICPC counsel did not oppose the application, and the judge granted it as prayed.

Mrs Abdulmalik then adjourned the case until October 27 for a definite hearing.

Earlier in the suit, the ex-governor sued the ICPC, the chief magistrate at the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja, the IG, and the AGF as first to fourth respondents, respectively.

He, however, dropped the name of the magistrate from the case following his inability to specify the name of the magistrate who was sued as the second respondent, after the judge made the observation.

Mr El-Rufai is, therefore, demanding N1 billion in damages against ICPC, the IG and the AGF.

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In an originating motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, dated and filed February 20 by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor sought seven reliefs.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2:00 p.m. by the ICPC and IG amounts to a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.

He said it violated the dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

He urged the court to declare that “any evidence obtained pursuant to the aforesaid invalid warrant and unlawful search is inadmissible in any proceedings against the applicant, as it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.”

Mr El-Rufai, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further relying on, using, or tendering any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search in any investigation, prosecution, or proceedings involving him.

He sought an order directing the first and third respondents (ICPC and IG) to forthwith return all items seized from the applicant’s premises during the unlawful search, together with a detailed inventory thereof.

He also sought an order awarding N1,000,000,000.00 (one billion naira) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, among others.

In its counter affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against Mr El-Rufai and, acting on it, commenced an investigation that led to the search at his residence.

It argued that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The commission said its officials were accompanied by Nigeria Police Force personnel and that the exercise was witnessed by Mr El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The ICPC, which urged the court to dismiss the suit, listed the items allegedly recovered from the residence.

The police, also in its counter affidavit deposed to by Ewa Anthony, argued that it had the statutory power to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

It argued that the search at Mr El-Rufai’s residence was carried out pursuant to a search warrant issued by a competent court of law.

The anti-graft agency disagreed with the ex-governor, insisting the search warrant was a genuine court order.

It said its officers who carried out the operation complied with all applicable legal procedures in executing the search warrant.

According to the police, the applicant is trying to use the honourable court to shield him from the security investigation and prosecution in court.

It, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

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Tinubu Becomes First Post-1999 Nigerian President to Miss Three Consecutive UNGAs

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17 hours ago

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September 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has again delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, marking the third consecutive year he has personally skipped the global summit since taking office in 2023.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Monday that Tinubu is “currently on annual leave,” describing the delegation to Shettima as “neither unusual nor a diminution of the country’s diplomatic standing”. Idris insisted Shettima “carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and will deliver the national statement.

However, the explanation has done little to quell public scrutiny. Tinubu last personally attended UNGA in September 2023 for the 78th session, shortly after his inauguration. He has since been absent from the 79th session in 2024, the 80th in 2025, and now the 81st in 2026—a pattern unmatched by any Nigerian president since the return of democracy in 1999.

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, through his media aide Phrank Shaibu, demanded a “full explanation,” arguing that three consecutive absences “could no longer be dismissed as coincidence or routine delegation” but constituted “a pattern of presidential evasion”. Atiku questioned whether Tinubu’s “documented history with United States law-enforcement agencies has become a burden on Nigeria’s foreign relations”.

At the centre of the opposition’s claim is a long-standing U.S. forfeiture case in which $460,000 was held in an account linked to Tinubu, after American authorities alleged the funds represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were involved in prohibited financial transactions. Atiku also questioned why the administration spent up to $9 million on American lobbyists to improve Nigeria’s standing in Washington while the President repeatedly stays away from New York.

The Presidency has not directly addressed the drug-case allegation. A ruling party chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, dismissed the claims as “political propaganda,” noting that no U.S. court has reopened a criminal case or pronounced Tinubu guilty of drug trafficking.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, had earlier announced that Tinubu would attend and that a seat had been secured for him near U.S. President Donald Trump. That seat remained empty.

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