NECO questions leaked before exams, sold for N3,000 – Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed how examination questions allegedly reached candidates before they sat for NECO papers. In one case, he said, the questions reportedly sold for N3,000.

Alausa spoke on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other education stakeholders.

He discussed the government’s efforts to tackle examination malpractice. The minister described the level of malpractice he encountered as “mind-boggling”.

Alausa said students who prepare honestly face a disadvantage when other candidates access examination materials before the scheduled papers.

How the questions were allegedly leaked

Recounting one case, Alausa said a platform allegedly linked to former NECO Registrar Ibrahim Wushishi provided access to examination questions before candidates sat for the papers.

“They bought his question for N3,000. That was it. Before the examination. They called him Wushishi and bought the questions for N3,000,” he said.

Alausa also recalled receiving questions during the 2025 examination period before candidates sat for the scheduled papers.

He said he sent some of the questions to examination officials for verification. The officials later confirmed that they were the actual papers candidates would write that day.

The minister warned that leaked questions could encourage more students to cheat. He said honest candidates might feel pressured to join the practice when they compete against students with advance access to examination materials.

“The danger was that the good students would also become bad,” Alausa said.

Alausa stressed that students cannot tackle examination malpractice alone. He said parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals and invigilators must also help to stop the practice.