Nigeria’s education system is facing tough questions about safety, fairness, and accountability. Exams, meant to test knowledge, are increasingly turning into battles against high-tech cheating, while schools themselves remain vulnerable to crises.
1. JAMB Exposes High-Tech Exam Malpractice
A 2025 JAMB panel uncovered over 4,000 cases of “finger blending” (biometric fraud), nearly 200 AI-powered impersonations, and 1,800 false disability claims. Syndicates involving parents, schools, and CBT centers were implicated. The board recommended AI-driven monitoring, stricter penalties, and a national exam security centre.
2. Deadly Fire at Zamfara Islamic School
In February 2025, a fire killed at least 17 children in Kaura Namoda. Poor safety compliance and negligence were blamed, reigniting calls for the full enforcement of Nigeria’s Safe School Initiative.
3. Chibok Girls: 11 Years Later
Eleven years after Boko Haram abducted 276 girls in Chibok, around 100 remain missing. Critics say government efforts have stalled, leaving deep scars on education security and social recovery.
4. Veil Bans in Universities
Some universities have restricted hijab and niqab use, blocking Muslim women from classes like physical education. Advocacy groups call the bans discriminatory, citing constitutional rights to religious freedom.
5. Chrisland Schools’ String of Scandals
From a teacher’s conviction for raping a 2-year-old (2016), to a viral sex tape scandal in Dubai (2022), to the death of student Whitney Adeniran at a sports event (2023), Chrisland Schools has faced repeated crises over negligence and accountability.
