JAMB Introduces Facial Verification for UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is preparing to introduce facial biometric verification for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), as part of ongoing reforms under its new Registrar, Professor Segun Aina.

According to JAMB’s weekly bulletin issued on August 31, 2026, the new system is expected to transform the way candidates are identified during examinations, building on the board’s long-running use of computer-based testing.

Under the proposed arrangement, cameras installed at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres will capture candidates’ faces during the examination. The images will be securely transmitted to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) through a dedicated application, which will generate a confirmation code to authenticate each candidate.

JAMB said the verification can be completed in less than a second under favourable conditions. It will also not require specialised hardware, as the cameras already available on computers and tablets at CBT centres can be used.

The move is aimed at addressing persistent difficulties associated with fingerprint authentication. Candidates have frequently experienced problems when fingerprints could not be properly detected because of wet, dirty or worn fingers. Such failures have sometimes resulted in delays, increased pressure on candidates and, in certain situations, the postponement of examination sessions.

Facial verification is expected to eliminate many of these challenges because the process is contactless. It could also provide a hygiene benefit by removing the need for candidates to touch fingerprint scanners used by others.

The new technology is also expected to strengthen examination security. By comparing live facial images with identity information held by NIMC, the system could make impersonation considerably more difficult and improve the reliability of candidate authentication.

Fingerprint system to remain for now

JAMB is not planning to discontinue fingerprint verification immediately. The existing 10-fingerprint authentication system will initially operate alongside the new facial recognition process.

The dual system is intended to give CBT centres time to adapt while JAMB works through possible technical and integration challenges involving NIMC.

However, the board expects facial verification to gradually become the primary authentication method over the next two to three years. Eventually, it is expected to replace both fingerprint verification and the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

The planned transition could reduce the stress candidates often face when fingerprint scanners fail to recognise their identities, particularly after travelling long distances to examination centres. With facial authentication, the identification process would be touch-free and designed to take less than a second.

The latest reform comes months after technical problems disrupted parts of the 2026 UTME exercise in April. Since assuming office, Professor Aina has placed technology-driven reforms among the priorities of his administration, with the new biometric system forming part of efforts to improve the efficiency, security and candidate experience of future examinations.