JAMB Probes 6,458 UTME Results Over High-Tech Malpractice

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has placed 6,458 results from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) under investigation for alleged involvement in sophisticated exam malpractice.

The Board on Monday inaugurated a 23-member Special Committee in Abuja to probe technology-driven irregularities uncovered during the conduct of the examinations.

Evolving nature of exam fraud
Speaking at the inauguration, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, expressed concern over the growing sophistication of examination malpractice, noting that schemes had advanced beyond conventional cheating.

“This year, we came across a number of strange things and felt it would be better to expand our resources. We believe that God has endowed this nation with a lot of capable hands we can tap from,” he said.

Oloyede disclosed that the suspected cases involved biometric and identity fraud, allegedly perpetrated by candidates in collaboration with some accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

“Examination malpractice is something that we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins. If left unchecked, it could harm several sectors and tarnish Nigeria’s image,” he warned.

While 141 cases of conventional malpractice have already been referred to JAMB’s disciplinary committee, the newly inaugurated panel will focus on extraordinary infractions such as image blending, finger pairing, falsified albinism claims, and attempts to hack CBT centre Local Area Networks (LANs).

Committee mandate
According to Oloyede, the committee’s terms of reference include:

• Investigating cases of image and finger blending, falsified albinism claims, and result manipulation.
• Identifying tools, technologies, and patterns used to perpetrate the infractions.
• Reviewing JAMB’s registration and examination policies to recommend improvements.
• Determining the culpability of each of the 6,458 candidates under probe, excluding genuine albinism-related cases being handled separately.

He emphasized that the committee has three weeks to complete its work to avoid delaying admissions.

A sacred duty – Committee chair
Responding, committee chairman Dr. Jake Epele pledged commitment to the task, describing it as a matter of national importance.

“Examination malpractice is not just a breach of rules. It is a direct assault on integrity, merit, and the future of our nation’s youth. This assignment is therefore a sacred duty—a call to defend the credibility of our examinations and restore public confidence,” he said.

Other members of the committee include academics, ICT experts, security professionals, and student leaders such as Prof. Muhammad Bello, Prof. Samuel Odewummi, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, retired Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, Dr. Chuks Okpaka of Microsoft Africa, and the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Government stance on malpractice
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reinforced its zero-tolerance policy against examination malpractice. On May 27, 2025, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a three-year ban for any student found guilty of malpractice across all national external examinations, including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.

The sanctions will be enforced using candidates’ National Identification Number (NIN), making it nearly impossible for offenders to evade punishment. Schools and CBT centres implicated in malpractice also risk being derecognised for several years.

According to the Minister, the measure is aimed at deterring malpractice, discouraging parental complicity, and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system.