The Federal Government has dismissed an online report claiming that the 2025 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations have been cancelled due to widespread malpractice.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the government described the report as false and misleading. The statement clarified that the 2025 WAEC examinations had been successfully concluded with only a few isolated cases of malpractice, all of which were promptly addressed.
It also assured the public that the ongoing NECO examinations are proceeding smoothly, with no reports of malpractice recorded so far.
“The 2025 WAEC Examinations have been successfully concluded, with only a few isolated incidents of malpractice reported, all of which were promptly addressed by the relevant authorities,” the statement read.
“The ongoing NECO Examinations are progressing smoothly, and as of this release, no cases of examination malpractice have been reported.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has not received any official communication or report from WAEC, NECO, or any examination body regarding widespread malpractice in either of the examinations.
“The Ministry, therefore, urges students, parents, school administrators, and the general public to disregard the fake press release currently in circulation. It is entirely fabricated, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary panic and confusion.”
Details of the fake report
The false statement, circulating online and dated July 19, 2025, was styled as an “urgent notice” and purportedly signed by one Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Lawal. It falsely claimed that the Ministry had cancelled the 2025 WASSCE over alleged widespread examination malpractice, question leakages, and the use of artificial intelligence tools to facilitate cheating.
It further alleged that all previously written papers from May 6 to July 18 had been nullified, with a promise of a new timetable by August 5. Among its claims were allegations of leaked exam papers surfacing up to 72 hours before scheduled tests, mass use of AI-generated answers and remote cheating tools, compromised WAEC officials distributing exam materials unlawfully, and over 480 flagged centres with coordinated cheating patterns.
WAEC and Ministry refute claims
WAEC has categorically refuted all allegations contained in the fake report, stating that no such decision has been taken by the Council or in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Education. As of Saturday, neither WAEC nor any verified government platform had issued a statement supporting the claims.
The Ministry warned that individuals spreading false information would be investigated and prosecuted.
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