NOUN Holds Disciplinary Hearings for Students Accused of Examination Malpractice

Tope Oyewole

August 17, 2026

L-R Prof.Alero Akujobi,Prof.Gregory Okagbare,Prof.Earnest Ugbaeje, Mrs.Martina Arinze- Onaga during the examination malpractice hearing at the Lagos Office

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Examination Misconduct Committee has conducted disciplinary hearings for students accused of examination malpractice in the South-West region.

The hearing , chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic integrity and the credibility of its examination processes.

The hearings were held at the NOUN Lagos Office, with members of the committee participating both physically and virtually to consider cases involving students alleged to have violated the university’s examination regulations.

NOUN News reports that the committee adopted a structured approach, hearing the cases on a centre-by-centre basis.

Each hearing lasted a day, with affected students appearing individually before the panel at scheduled times to respond to the allegations and present their accounts of the incidents.

The orderly conduct of the proceedings ensured that each student was given a fair opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct before the committee.

Lagos zonal office Director Prof.F.Fatimayin with Prof.Alero Akujobi and examination malpractice committee, Prof.Gregory Okagbare,Prof.Ernest Ugbeje and Mrs Martina Arinze- Onaga during the examination malpractice hearing

During the hearings, several students expressed remorse over their actions and reflected on the circumstances that contributed to their involvement in examination malpractice.

Some cited academic pressure, financial hardship and negative peer influence as factors that contributed to their actions.

Their submissions provided the committee with insights into some of the challenges confronting students, while underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of the university’s examination system.

The disciplinary hearings form part of NOUN’s continuing efforts to deter examination malpractice, promote ethical conduct among students and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the university’s examination regulations.

The Examination Misconduct Committee is chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, and comprises Professor Gregory Okagbare, Dr. Ernest O. Ugbeje and Mrs. Martina Arinze-Onaga.