Education Minister Raises Alarm Over NECO Questions Allegedly Sold for ₦3,000 Before Exams

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has raised fresh concerns over examination malpractice, revealing that National Examinations Council (NECO) examination questions were allegedly obtained and sold for as little as ₦3,000 before candidates sat for their examinations.

Alausa made the disclosure on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other stakeholders in the education sector.

The minister described the level of examination malpractice he encountered as “mind-boggling” and warned that years of tolerating question leakages and cheating had created an unfair system for students who genuinely prepare for examinations.

How the Alleged ₦3,000 NECO Leak Worked

According to Alausa, examination questions had previously been made available for purchase before candidates sat for their papers.

While recounting efforts to tackle examination malpractice, the minister referred to the period when Ibrahim Wushishi served as NECO Registrar.

Alausa alleged that some people used the name “Wushishi” in connection with a platform where examination questions could allegedly be obtained before the examination.

He said questions were reportedly purchased for ₦3,000 before candidates sat for the papers.

The minister’s account was presented as an example of the extent to which examination materials could allegedly be accessed ahead of official examinations. The allegation itself was made by the minister and does not, by itself, establish criminal responsibility against any named individual.

Minister Says Leaked Questions Reached Him During 2025 Exams

Alausa also described his experience during the 2025 examination period, saying he was repeatedly sent examination questions allegedly obtained before candidates sat for the relevant papers.

According to the minister, the materials sometimes included subjects such as English and Chemistry.

He said the government was forced to verify some of the questions with examination officials. In some cases, he said, the verification showed that the questions being circulated were actually the papers scheduled for candidates that day.

The minister said the experience was particularly troubling because it meant students who studied honestly could be competing against candidates who had gained access to examination materials in advance.

Why Question Leakages Are a Bigger Problem

Alausa warned that examination malpractice does not only disadvantage honest students; it can also encourage more students to cheat.

His argument is that when students who prepare properly see others gaining unfair access to examination materials and receiving higher grades, they may eventually feel pressured to adopt the same methods.

That creates a cycle in which cheating becomes normalised and academic results become less reliable as a measure of what students actually know.

The minister therefore argued that examination malpractice should not be treated simply as a problem caused by students.

Parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals and invigilators, he said, all have responsibilities in protecting the integrity of examinations.

Government Signals Stronger Examination Controls

The Federal Government says it intends to strengthen measures designed to prevent examination leakages and other forms of malpractice.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, also said stronger examination controls could expose weaknesses among students who may have become accustomed to accessing examination materials before tests.

She pointed to the use of serialised examination questions as one measure that could make it more difficult for candidates to rely on leaked papers.

The wider objective is to ensure that examination results reflect students’ actual preparation and academic ability rather than access to leaked materials.

TALK YA TRUE ANALYSIS

The most disturbing part of the minister’s revelation is not necessarily the reported ₦3,000 price tag. It is what the alleged availability of examination questions before an examination says about the value of academic credentials.

If examination papers can be obtained before students enter examination halls, students who spend months studying are effectively competing on an uneven playing field.

There is also a wider economic consequence. University admissions, scholarships, professional opportunities and employment decisions can depend on examination results. If those results are compromised, the damage extends beyond the classroom.

However, allegations of examination leakage must ultimately be backed by investigations and evidence. Public officials should ensure that specific claims are properly investigated and that anyone found responsible faces appropriate consequences, rather than allowing the issue to remain another recurring national controversy.

For students and parents, the message is equally important: genuine academic preparation should not become the losing strategy in Nigeria’s education system.

FINAL WORD

The Education Ministry’s revelation has renewed attention on one of the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector.

Stopping examination malpractice will require more than warnings to students. It will require stronger examination security, accountability for officials and schools, reliable investigations into suspected leaks and consistent enforcement of the rules.

The credibility of Nigeria’s certificates ultimately depends on whether students can trust that everyone sitting for the same examination is playing by the same rules.

KEY FACTS

• Education Minister Tunji Alausa raised the issue on September 3, 2026.

• He alleged that NECO examination questions had previously been sold for as little as ₦3,000 before candidates sat for the papers.

• Alausa said leaked questions were also allegedly circulated during the 2025 examination period.

• He said some leaked materials were verified and found to correspond with questions scheduled for that day.

• The minister described the scale of examination malpractice as “mind-boggling.”

• He said parents, teachers, schools, principals and invigilators all have roles to play in stopping malpractice.

• The government says it is pursuing stronger examination controls, including measures such as serialised questions.

SOURCES

Punch Newspapers — report on the Education Minister’s disclosure.

Vanguard — report on the alleged ₦3,000 NECO question sales.

The Sun Nigeria — report on Alausa’s comments and examination reforms.

The Trumpet — report on Alausa’s account of leaked questions during the 2025 examinations.