Nigeria’s examination system is facing new threats as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) uncovered thousands of technology-enabled malpractices during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The findings, presented in Abuja by Jake Epelle, Chairman of JAMB’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions, revealed 4,251 cases of “finger blending” biometric fraud and 192 instances of AI-driven impersonation using image morphing.
“What we discovered shocked us deeply. Examination malpractices have evolved into a highly organised, technologically driven, and culturally normalized enterprise,” Epelle said. He added that the committee also recorded 1,878 false declarations of albinism, multiple NIN registrations, and credential forgery schemes.
Responding, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said that while infractions were widespread, actual exam malpractice during conduct was lower. “When it comes to the real exam malpractice that we know, this year alone the Board recorded about 140 of them, which is still relatively low,” Oloyede explained.
The committee, inaugurated on August 18 with a three-week mandate, is composed of 23 experts including academics, security operatives, legal practitioners, and ICT specialists. Members include Prof. Ibe Ifeakandu (Deputy Chairperson), Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, Prof. Samuel Odewumi, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and CP (Retd) Fatai Owoseni.
The report is expected to shape new biometric security policies, AI misuse detection systems, and stiffer penalties. Already, the federal government has approved a three-year ban for students caught cheating, enforceable across all national examinations, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB.
Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, said enforcement would rely on students’ National Identification Numbers, making it harder for offenders to escape sanctions. Schools and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres implicated risk losing accreditation for several years.
With 6,458 suspected candidates’ results still withheld, JAMB says it will adopt the committee’s recommendations to safeguard the credibility of its admissions system.
