The Kogi State Government has tasked the Examination Misconduct, Investigation, and Disciplinary Committee with probing the involvement of schools and individuals implicated in the conduct of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state.
While inaugurating the committee in Lokoja on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, emphasized that examination malpractice is a serious issue that must be addressed promptly, as it negatively impacts the future of students.
Jones stated that the committee’s role is to investigate the extent of involvement by schools and individuals, and to recommend appropriate sanctions in accordance with the Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.
He further instructed the newly appointed committee to submit its report within one week, urging the members to approach their work with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to justice.
“Government will implement the recommendation of the Committee as the current administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo abhors examination fraud,” he said.
“The State has invested so much in education and will not allow the activities of some principals in connivance with some supervisors to derail the progress being made in education.”
The committee members include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Jibrin Saidu Alhaji, who will serve as Chairman, and Omolayo Barikisu Onozare, the Director of Administration, as Secretary. Additional members have been selected from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Kogi State Secondary Education Commission (KOSEC), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), West African Examination Council (WAEC), NECO, NABTEB, ANCOPSS, and NUT.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin Saidu, assured that the committee would carry out a thorough investigation and ensure fairness and justice in its proceedings.
It is worth noting that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had previously de-recognized certain schools for their involvement in examination malpractice and blacklisted supervisors implicated in aiding malpractice during the 2024 WASSCE for school candidates in the state.