The founding Chairman of Exam Ethics Marshals International (EEMI), Ike Onyechere, has raised concerns over the widespread examination malpractice in Nigerian secondary schools, stating that 67% of both private and public institutions function as “exam magic centres.” Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, he revealed that these centres, which often lack proper infrastructure, manage to secure accreditation despite their questionable operations. According to Onyechere, such schools tend to have small student populations in junior classes but experience a surge in enrolment at the Senior Secondary 3 level, where they fabricate continuous assessment scores to manipulate results. He described the environment in these schools during examinations as disorderly, with supervisors, invigilators, and students, collaborating to enable cheating.
Beyond examination fraud, Onyechere also highlighted the issue of illegal levies imposed on parents under various disguises, such as development levies, PTA, building, ICT, and other levies. Despite federal and state government bans, many schools continue to demand these charges, often inflating costs far beyond the actual expenses. He pointed out that secondary schools nationwide have significantly overcharged students for WAEC and NECO registration, with some demanding as much as ₦85,000 for both exams, despite official rates of ₦27,000 and ₦22,500, respectively. Some schools even introduce additional “logistics” fees, which they claim will help students pass. He described these levies as part of an organised criminal network that exploits parents while further entrenching Corruption in the Education sector.
Parents need to stop enabling exam malpractice.
Onyechere called on parents to take a stand against these exploitative practices, stressing that their willingness to pay such fees only encourages further malpractice. He warned that if left unchecked, the prevalence of “magic centres” and illegal levies could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and have long-term consequences for national development. The EEMI chairman urged all stakeholders to support enforcement measures to curb examination malpractice, arguing that restoring credibility in student assessments was crucial to addressing broader societal issues. He cautioned that allowing such unethical practices to persist would not only diminish the value of academic qualifications but also contribute to a Culture of dishonesty in the country.
Moreover, the prevalence of exam malpractice in Nigerian schools reflects deeper structural challenges in the education sector. Many parents, frustrated with the poor quality of teaching and low success rates in national examinations, turn to these “magic centres” as a last resort to secure good grades for their children. However, this reliance on shortcuts undermines the long-term competence of students, as they graduate without the necessary knowledge and skills. The cycle continues as these students struggle in Higher Education and the job market, where real competence is required. Addressing this issue requires systemic reforms, including improved Teacher training, stricter school accreditation processes, and better monitoring mechanisms.
Poor education funding I’d driving malpractice.
Furthermore, the demand for illegal levies exposes the chronic underfunding of education in Nigeria. Many schools, both public and private, resort to imposing unofficial charges to make up for inadequate government funding or to generate extra income. While some levies may be used for legitimate school development purposes, their unregulated nature enables widespread corruption. Strengthening regulatory oversight, ensuring that schools operate transparently, and holding violators accountable are essential steps to addressing this problem. Parents also have a role to play in resisting exploitative fees and demanding accountability from school administrators.
More broadly, the credibility crisis in education threatens the country’s human capital development. If the foundation of learning is built on fraudulent practices, the workforce of the future risks being dominated by individuals who lack critical skills and ethical grounding. Restoring integrity in the education system requires a multi-pronged approach involving government agencies, school authorities, parents, and Civil Society groups. Without decisive action, Nigeria risks a future where qualifications become meaningless, and true merit is replaced by institutionalised dishonesty.
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While government intervention is necessary, addressing this issue also requires cultural change. Many parents knowingly fund examination malpractice, believing that good grades, regardless of how they are obtained, will secure better opportunities for their children. This mindset fuels the demand for “magic centres” and makes it difficult to eliminate corruption in the education system. Encouraging ethical conduct among students, parents, and school administrators is essential to breaking this cycle. A shift towards valuing genuine academic achievement over mere certification will be crucial in rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s education system.