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FG introduces learner identity number, updates CA guidelines ahead of 2026 WAEC, NECO
The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the 2026 examinations and beyond, covering the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
The measures, unveiled by Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, alongside Suwaiba Said Ahmed, Minister of State for Education, are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s national assessment system.
In a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministers said the Ministry is intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to safeguard the integrity of public examinations nationwide.
A major component of the new framework is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation mechanisms. Under this system, all candidates will answer the same examination questions, but the sequencing and arrangement will differ for each candidate, ensuring that every student sits a unique version of the examination and significantly reducing opportunities for collusion and cheating.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its strict policy prohibiting the transfer of candidates at the Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) level. According to the statement, this directive, already communicated through an official circular will now be rigorously enforced to curb last-minute school changes often linked to examination malpractice.
“To further ensure transparency, new national Continuous Assessment guidelines have been developed for immediate implementation. All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS etc) must strictly follow the standardized submission deadlines for each academic period: Submission Windows
First Term CA: January
Second Term CA: April
Third Term CA: August
“These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.
“In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management,” the statement read.
To further strengthen transparency and standardisation, the Federal Government has developed new national Continuous Assessment (CA) guidelines for immediate implementation.
All examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), are required to strictly adhere to uniform submission deadlines for each academic period.
Under the new guidelines, Continuous Assessment records must be submitted within the following windows: January for First Term, April for Second Term, and August for Third Term. The Ministry noted that these timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.
In addition, the Ministry announced the introduction of a unique Examination Learners Identity Number for all candidates. The identifier is expected to enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, enhance monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management.
The Ministers further assured stakeholders that examination administration will be conducted under strengthened supervision and closer coordination with examination bodies to ensure strict compliance with established guidelines and ethical standards.
They emphasized that the reforms reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and aligned with global best practices, while also addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities.
The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of the new measures and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following the reopening of its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, after months of closure.
The meeting is scheduled to hold at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
This comes days after security operatives unsealed the premises, which had been under lock since late last year due to internal leadership disputes.
The development marks a fresh step in the party’s attempt to stabilise its structure after a prolonged crisis. Party officials say the meeting will focus on restoring order and addressing lingering issues affecting the PDP’s leadership.
The secretariat had been sealed in November after a violent confrontation between two rival factions. One group was loyal to the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee. The other faction was headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who led a caretaker committee. Both sides had laid claim to the party’s leadership, leading to chaos at the headquarters.
The crisis deepened after a court ruling earlier this year. The Appeal Court nullified the Ibadan convention that brought in the Turaki-led leadership. That judgment shifted momentum to the Mohammed-led group.
Backed by key political figures, the Mohammed faction moved quickly. They relied on the court decision to organise a fresh convention in Abuja. That exercise further strengthened their hold on the party’s structure.
Sources within the party say today’s NEC meeting will largely be attended by loyalists of the Mohammed-led leadership. Among those expected are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Also expected are former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Party insiders say the presence of these figures signals a strong show of unity from the faction currently in control. Discussions at the meeting are expected to cover reconciliation, restructuring, and preparations for future political engagements.
There are also indications that the NEC may set up committees to address grievances within the party. Some members are pushing for a broader peace process to bring back aggrieved stakeholders.
Terrorists have killed three soldiers in a fresh attack on a military camp in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, with residents saying heavy gunfire echoed across the area during the invasion.
According to local sources, the assailants, suspected to be armed terrorists, stormed the military camp without warning and engaged troops in a fierce gun battle.
The confrontation left three soldiers dead, while other personnel were said to have responded with a reprisal attack to repel the assailants.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as sudden and violent, noting that the attackers took advantage of the early morning hours when some soldiers were asleep.
“Kemanji is a border community close to thick forest areas.
“Few of the soldiers were asleep around 3am when the terrorists invaded their camp and killed three of them before others responded,” the source said. (The Sun)
Prominent activist, Aisha Yesufu, has expressed concern over the ongoing teachers’ strike in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling on the minister, Nyesom Wike, to urgently intervene and resolve the crisis.
In a statement on Monday, Yesufu lamented the prolonged closure of public primary schools across the FCT, noting that the situation continues to disrupt the education of thousands of children.
She stressed that education remains a fundamental right and should not be treated with negligence, urging authorities to prioritise the welfare of both teachers and students.
“The continuous strike by teachers in the FCT is unacceptable. Our children cannot keep paying the price for unresolved issues,” she said.
The activist appealed directly to Wike to take decisive steps towards addressing the grievances of the striking teachers, including issues surrounding unpaid salaries and poor working conditions.
According to her, swift intervention by the FCT administration would not only restore academic activities but also rebuild confidence in the public education system.
The strike, which has lingered for weeks, has left many pupils at home, raising concerns among parents over the long term impact on learning.
PDP Holds First NEC Meeting After Police Reopen National Secretariat
Just in: Terrorists invade military camp, k!ll three soldiers in Kwara
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