Question leakages in WAEC and NECO examinations have been brought to zero, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa declared on Thursday, crediting computer based testing and a hybrid examination system for ending a problem that plagued Nigerian public examinations for decades.

Alausa made the declaration at the maiden convocation ceremony of Miva Open University, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos, where he outlined a series of reforms introduced under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

"We initiated major examination reforms to adopt computer based testing and a hybrid examination system. I can definitely report to you that the pervasive cheating that pervaded WAEC and NECO is now a thing of the past. Within just one year, we have brought it down to zero," he stated.

The Minister recalled receiving near daily alerts about leaked WAEC papers before examinations were conducted, describing the situation as one that caused him considerable distress.

"Just last year, whenever WAEC examinations were being conducted, I would wake up with palpitations because my colleague, the Minister of State for Education, would send messages informing me that the questions for a particular subject had already leaked. I would forward them to the WAEC Head of National Office and ask whether they were genuine questions, and the response would often be, 'Honourable Minister, I'm sorry, it is true,'" he recounted.

Alausa noted that leakages had placed honest students in a difficult position, with peer pressure pushing even those with good intentions toward malpractice.

"When questions leak before examinations, even students who want to do the right thing are pressured into doing the wrong thing. That was the reality for decades," he said.

The Minister affirmed that malpractice in both examinations had been halted for the first time in seven years, attributing the achievement to the Federal Government's determination to protect examination integrity.

Beyond examination reforms, Alausa disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved amendments to the Universal Basic Education Act and the National Senior Secondary School Education Act. The national curriculum has also been reviewed to reduce excessive subject loads and sharpen focus on foundational learning, critical thinking, and future ready skills.

He added that government investments in medical education, technical and vocational training, student accommodation, and digital infrastructure were all part of efforts to reposition the education sector under President Bola Tinubu's administration.