Lagos Begins BECE Monitoring to Curb Exam Malpractice
By Mohammed Adekola
The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) has commenced the statewide monitoring of the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), as part of efforts to ensure credibility and strict compliance with examination standards in Lagos State.
During a monitoring visit to New Era Girls Junior High School in Surulere on Friday, the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to upholding examination integrity in both public and private schools below the tertiary level.
Mr. Abdul stated that the OEQA is legally mandated to enforce adherence to examination guidelines, ensuring a smooth and credible conduct of the BECE across all schools. He further highlighted the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of equitable and inclusive education for every child.
In addition to observing the examination proceedings, Mr. Abdul conducted a needs assessment of the facilities and environment of the schools visited. He noted that all findings would be compiled and presented in a report to the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun.
“I am quite impressed with the level of compliance observed. The calm atmosphere and the orderly conduct by students and officials are commendable improvements,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Monitoring and Investigation at OEQA, Mrs. Khafilat Ashimi, disclosed that the monitoring exercise—running from Wednesday, July 2 to Tuesday, July 8, 2025—was carefully structured to ensure adequate coverage of all six Education Districts in the state. She described the level of compliance recorded so far as “encouraging.”
The monitoring team for Education Districts IV and VI, led by Mr. Abdul, included top-level officers such as the Director of Quality Assurance, Mr. Taofeek Ajibade; the Coordinating Director of Education District IV, Mr. Fatai Salvador; the Director of Private Education and Special Programmes, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa; and the Zonal Director, Zone 13, Mr. Oluseyi Okewunmi.
Among the schools visited were Gbaja Junior High School, New Era Girls Junior High School, and Agidingbi Junior High School. Others included Babcock Junior High School, Ogba; Omole Junior Grammar School; and Ojodu Junior High School in Ikeja.
