Condemnations As Reps Propose 5-Year Jail Term For Exam Malpractice
A proposed bill by the House of Representatives prescribing stiff penalties for examination malpractice has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians who believe the lawmakers have misplaced priorities.
The proposed legislation, titled “Examination Malpractices Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 (HB2097)”, was introduced on March 6, 2025, by Hon. Esosa Iyawe, who represents the Oredo Federal Constituency. The bill is currently awaiting its second reading.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the bill, it seeks to repeal the Examination Malpractice Act Cap. E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact a new Examination Malpractices Act, 2025. The aim is to provide non-custodial penalties, expand the definition of examination-related offences, and prescribe adequate punishments.
The bill prescribes a five-year jail term, a fine of N500,000, or both for any individual convicted of leaking examination questions. It also proposes a three-year jail term for minors convicted of engaging in any form of examination malpractice. It further states that minors will be treated air jordan 3 black cement 2024 according to the Child Rights Act.
Under the proposed law, anyone caught procuring examination questions—regardless of authenticity—or using technological devices during an exam may face a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both, if under 18.
However, stiffer penalties await education officials. A principal, teacher, invigilator, supervisor, examiner, or any examination body staff found guilty of such offences will face a mandatory four-year imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Marking officers who, without lawful excuse, alter scores or tamper with candidates’ results, or employees of exam bodies who aid candidates to cheat, will also face a fine of N400,000 or four years imprisonment—or both.
Section 4 of the bill further criminalizes candidates who steal, take, or appropriate exam materials like question papers or answer sheets using fraudulent tricks, prescribing a punishment of N500,000 fine or three years’ imprisonment—or both.
Anyone impersonating a candidate also faces similar penalties, while staff of exam bodies involved in such acts will get no less than four years in prison with no option of a fine.
Section 6 of the proposed bill criminalizes a candidate leaving the exam venue to collude with others to cheat, with offenders facing a N300,000 fine or up to three years in prison or both. Such a candidate would also be disqualified from completing the exam.
Further, the bill targets individuals who communicate answers or information to candidates during exams or are found lurking around exam venues with the intent to help someone cheat. For minors, the punishment is a fine of N500,000 or up to three years in prison or both. But for education personnel, the punishment remains four years without an option of a fine.
The bill has generated mixed reactions since its introduction, with some Nigerians branding the lawmakers as “idle” and accusing them of ignoring more pressing national issues.
Among the critics is Chief Maxi Okwu, former national chairman of the All Progressives Scorebook Live, Inc Bruins Freshman Baseball (Madison, MS) Roster – High School On Cheap Onlinenevada Jordan Outlet Grand Alliance (APGA) and a lawyer, who told DAILY POST, “I think those lawmakers are idle. There are more important issues to tackle.”
While not endorsing exam malpractice, Okwu questioned the lawmakers’ priorities, stating:
“It is not as if I am encouraging exams malpractice, but to me, it is not a priority matter. It is not a priority at all; look at kidnappers, bandits and terrorists that go away with mayhem; they don’t want to do anything about that, it is to go after school children who engage in what I may call some malfeasance.
“Yes, there should be punishment, and by the way there is punishment already for examination malpractice in Nigeria, but like I said, if you want to improve the law, fine. But there are more important things facing the nation that they should give their attention to.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, lawyer and public affairs analyst Adekunle James questioned the credibility of the lawmakers, many of whom he claimed have questionable academic records.
He told DAILY POST, “Most of them are in the National Assembly with forged secondary school certificates, and should not be talking about examination malpractice.”
James emphasized that Nigeria already has strong laws to deal with the issue, suggesting that the bill is a diversion from the real struggles Nigerians face.
“So, for anybody to abandon all the problems that Nigerians are facing and be talking about a non-issue like exam malpractice is most unfortunate.
“Are the lawmakers not aware of what Nigerians are going through? Nigerians are being killed like chickens in their homes by bandits and terrorists; nowhere is safe; People can’t feed; they can’t afford ordinary medication for malaria; house rent is rising every year; transportation cost is out of reach of so many Nigerians due to the removal of subsidy on petroleum products and some lawmakers are talking about examinations malpractice.
“Are they supposed to be debating about examination malpractice in a country where people are not sure when death will come calling or where their next meal will come from? Are they not supposed to be making laws that will alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and secure their lives from the criminal gangs in the name of bandits, terrorists and killer herdsmen?
“Certain things are better left not discussed. These lawmakers will never cease to amuse us. So, of all the problems bedeviling us as a people, it is examination malpractice that they chose to single out and discuss?
“This is a shame. My advice to them is to sit up and face their constitutional duty of ensuring that they make laws that will protect the lives and property of Nigerians, put food on their table and improve their general well-being,” he concluded.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
