A disturbing report by Exam Ethics Marshals International (EEMI) has revealed that 67% of private and public secondary schools in Nigeria function as ‘exam magic centres,’ where examination malpractices are widespread.
The organization founding chairman, Ike Onyechere, made this disclosure during a press conference in Abuja, highlighting the growing threat posed by fraudulent exam practices and illegal levies in schools.
According to Onyechere, many of these so-called schools lack proper infrastructure, qualified teachers, and genuine academic programs, yet they manage to secure accreditation. The real focus of these institutions is not education but orchestrating mass cheating during national examinations.
“These centres tend to have small class sizes in earlier years, from JS1 to SS2, but suddenly record a surge in student numbers in SS3, where they manipulate continuous assessment scores and facilitate cheating,” Onyechere explained.
He further revealed that exam halls in these schools are often chaotic, with invigilators, supervisors, and students colluding to ensure that candidates pass by any means necessary. In return, parents pay exorbitant fees—sometimes running into hundreds of thousands of naira—to secure results for their wards.
Onyechere strongly condemned the involvement of parents in funding these illicit practices, stressing that they were directly contributing to the destruction of their children’s future. He called on all stakeholders—including government agencies, school administrators, and examination bodies—to enforce the ban on illegal levies and dismantle the fraudulent network behind these ‘magic centres’.
He further emphasized that curbing examination malpractice is crucial for tackling wider societal issues, as academic fraud undermines merit, fosters corruption, and weakens the foundation of national development.
The findings from EEMI’s investigation serve as a wake-up call for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s education sector. If left unchecked, the proliferation of ‘exam magic centres’ will continue to devalue academic qualifications, erode educational standards, and produce graduates unfit for real-world challenges.
To restore integrity to the system, the government, educators, parents, and law enforcement agencies must unite in the fight against examination malpractice.
Only through strict enforcement of regulations, improved monitoring, and a renewed commitment to ethical education can Nigeria reverse this dangerous trend and safeguard the future of its students.
Source: NAN
Response to “67% of Schools Operate as ‘Exam Magic Centres’ — Exam Ethics Marshals Raise Alarm”
Withdraw accreditation from any school involved in exams malpractices