The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched a special investigation into thousands of suspected cases of technology-enabled malpractice uncovered during this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
At the inauguration of a 23-member panel in Abuja on Monday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the Board was alarmed by the growing sophistication of examination fraud, which he warned could undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
A total of 6,458 candidates remain under scrutiny for alleged involvement in advanced cheating schemes. Another 141 cases of conventional malpractice have already been referred to JAMB’s disciplinary committee.
“This year, we came across a number of strange things,” Oloyede said. “Examination malpractice is something we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins. If left unchecked, it will harm several sectors and tarnish the image of this country.”
According to him, fraud has evolved beyond impersonation and answer-sharing into “technologically sophisticated forms,” including biometric manipulation, identity fraud, image blending, falsification of albinism claims, and attempts to breach the Local Area Network of accredited CBT centres.
The newly inaugurated committee, chaired by disability rights advocate Dr. Jake Epele, has been tasked with investigating these “extraordinary infractions,” reviewing existing policies, and recommending stronger safeguards. Members include senior academics, technology experts, law enforcement representatives, and student leaders.
The panel has three weeks to submit its findings, ahead of the close of the 2025 admission window. Oloyede said candidates found innocent should not be denied opportunities.
In his response, Epele described the assignment as “a sacred duty,” adding: “Examination malpractice is not just a breach of rules. It is a direct assault on integrity, merit, and the future of our youth. The call is to defend the credibility of our examination and restore public confidence.”
