Abuja, Nigeria – September 8, 2025
Nigeria’s foremost examination body, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is grappling with what it describes as a “new era of organised digital malpractice” after an investigative panel exposed over 6,000 cases of sophisticated fraud in the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The revelations were made on Monday in Abuja by Dr. Jake Epelle, Chairman of the Special Committee on Examination Infractions, who presented the findings of the panel set up to probe examination misconduct.
According to Epelle, the scale of malpractice uncovered reveals a system under siege, one that urgently requires a combination of stronger enforcement, technological innovation, and systemic reforms to restore public trust in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
Shocking Findings: Fraudsters Exploit the System
Among the most startling discoveries was the case of 1,878 candidates who falsely claimed to be persons with albinism in order to secure concessions meant to support persons with disabilities. Investigators also uncovered widespread deployment of biometric tricks, forged credentials, fake National Identification Numbers (NINs), and AI-driven fraud tactics.
The committee’s breakdown paints a chilling picture:
- 4,251 cases of “finger blending” – where candidates manipulated biometric captures.
- 190 cases of AI-aided image morphing, where candidates digitally altered their facial features to impersonate others.
- Multiple syndicate-backed schemes involving tutorial centres, schools, parents, and even some Computer-Based Test (CBT) operators.
“This fraud is not just the work of candidates,” Dr. Epelle warned. “It is sustained by an ecosystem of collaborators who profit from undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.”
Laws Lagging Behind Technology
One of the major concerns raised by the panel is that Nigeria’s current laws cannot keep pace with the sophistication of digital fraud now plaguing the UTME. Without urgent reforms, the credibility of examinations — and by extension, university admissions — could be fatally compromised.
To combat this, the committee recommended a multi-pronged strategy that blends technology, legislation, and enforcement.
Recommendations for Reform
The panel proposed several bold measures, including:
- Deployment of AI-driven biometric anomaly detection to identify irregularities in real time.
- Establishment of a National Examination Security Operations Centre to coordinate surveillance and response.
- Introduction of real-time monitoring systems to prevent collusion during exams.
- Creation of a Central Sanctions Registry to blacklist offenders and ensure consequences are enforced.
- Tougher penalties such as cancellation of results, bans of up to three years, and prosecution of offenders.
Beyond enforcement, the committee urged internal reforms within JAMB, including:
- Full digitisation of correction workflows.
- Tighter disability verification systems to prevent fraudulent claims.
- A ban on bulk school-led registrations, which have been exploited by syndicates.
- Lobbying for legislative amendments to formally recognise biometric and digital fraud as prosecutable offenses.
A Warning for the Future
The Special Committee on Examination Infractions, inaugurated on August 18, stressed that Nigeria is at a critical crossroads. Failure to act swiftly, it warned, could erode confidence in the entire tertiary admissions process, undermining the dreams of millions of genuine students.
“This is not just about cheating in exams,” Epelle said. “It is about the future of Nigeria’s education system, our values, and the credibility of the degrees we award.”
As JAMB braces itself for the next cycle of examinations, the spotlight now falls on the Federal Government, lawmakers, and education stakeholders to move from investigation to action. The hope is that these revelations will mark not just another scandal, but the beginning of a new era of accountability, resilience, and innovation in Nigeria’s education sector.
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