The management of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have warned staff participating in the conduct of examinations against involvement in malpractices.

DAILY POST reports that the federal government agencies gave the warning at a two-day in-house training for senior staff of the examination board across the country on Wednesday in Benin City.

The training was organised by NABTEB in collaboration with the ICPC.

In his opening address, Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, said the training was aimed at building the capacity of staff, especially senior officers, on examination malpractice.

Mohammed said the theme of the programme, “Building a Culture of Integrity in the Examination System in Nigeria,” underscored the importance of credibility, integrity, and record-keeping in the conduct of examinations.

He noted that one of the best ways to address the involvement of staff in examination malpractice is the prompt payment of Basic Transport Allowance (BTA) and other necessary entitlements.

He opined that if an examination supervisor or invigilator received his or her allowances before going out for the conduct of any examination, it would be difficult for such a person to be enticed by anyone.

According to him, “Examination is around the corner. I want to assure you that our staff must get their BTA before they move out of the office, unless there is an emergency.

“When we talk about integrity, someone traveling to supervise exams for several days without money for transportation or for family upkeep faces a clear opportunity for corruption.

“But when he gets his allowances before going, it will be very difficult for someone to entice him with something,” he said.

The NABTEB boss, however, commended all members of staff of the examination body, especially those who rejected bribery offers during the last exams.

He added that more of such integrity is expected from those who will be involved in the forthcoming examination.

Mohammed explained that the purpose of the training was for the ICPC to educate, interact with, and guide staff on the board’s examination process.

“I want to thank ICPC for always identifying with us. We thank you for partnering with us. To my colleagues in NABTEB, this training is very important to us. There are only three key issues in any examination body, credibility, integrity, and record-keeping.

“I want to plead with us that our individual roles in the discharge of our responsibilities are very important. I agree that we cannot have 100 percent, but let’s work toward it. Let everybody know what you are doing so they can also make an input.

“It is now your turn for ICPC to interact with you. They are here to educate us. Our duty now is to listen carefully as they guide us on our examination process—what we are supposed to do and what we are not supposed to do.

“I want to urge us to listen very well, look at our examination process. They will tell us what we are supposed to do and what we are not supposed to do, so that when we get to the examination point, we will not have problems,” he added.

Speaking on the topic “Offences and Punishments under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000,” the Assistant Chief Superintendent of ICPC, Dennis Nnaemeka Okoro, noted that the endemic nature of corruption poses great danger to the economic, social, and political stability, as well as to the integrity of the Nigerian nation.

Okoro averred that examination malpractice is not just an ethical lapse but a criminal act that jeopardizes the integrity of educational assessments.

He explained that addressing examination malpractice requires not just preventing individual acts of cheating but adopting a comprehensive approach that safeguards the entire examination process.

He added that under the agency’s law, any public officer who asks for, receives, or attempts to obtain any property or favour from someone else is acting illegally.

Okoro, who is also the Head of Legal Services of the Commission, added that if such an officer is found guilty under the law, he or she would be liable to a seven-year imprisonment term.

“There’s a need for robust measures to protect the examination system. This requires not only strict enforcement of rules but also the development of a culture of integrity within educational institutions.

“Examination malpractice is broadly defined as any undesirable conduct by students or supervisors that violates established norms before, during, or after an examination.

“This includes actions that contravene the rules governing assessments, undermine fairness and integrity in the examination process, and violate procedures from exam setting and administration to grading and certificate issuance.

“Examination integrity is essential for maintaining fairness, credibility, and trust in any educational or assessment system. Upholding exam integrity ensures that results accurately reflect learners’ true knowledge, skills, and effort, which benefits both individuals and society at large,” he stated.

NABTEB, ICPC warn exams supervisors against involvement in malpractices