The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sanitizing Nigeria’s educational system, with a strong focus on eradicating exam malpractice and enhancing technical and vocational education. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this declaration during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, where he highlighted the government’s decisive measures to improve education quality and integrity nationwide.

Dr. Alausa condemned the existence of Miracle Examination Centres (MECs)—private secondary schools notorious for facilitating exam fraud. He stressed that these centers pose a serious threat to education, as they allow undeserving students to obtain good grades dishonestly, thereby discouraging hardworking and diligent learners. “If you let people cheat, you disincentivize the hardworking people,” he stated, vowing that the government would completely eliminate this malpractice.

Beyond tackling exam fraud, the minister also emphasized the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in national development. He noted that many skilled workers, such as plumbers and electricians, earn more than some professionals in countries like the UK and the US, yet technical skills remain undervalued in Nigeria. To revamp the sector, the government has designed a four-step approach aimed at attracting students to vocational schools, which includes a financial incentive program where students would be paid to enroll in technical education.

Dr. Alausa also disclosed that efforts are underway to enhance the quality of tertiary education, with a plan to train five universities that would, in turn, mentor and train other public institutions. These initiatives, he assured, would transform Nigeria’s education sector, ensuring that both academic integrity and vocational training are given the priority and resources needed for sustainable national development.