The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set up a 23-member Special Committee on Examination Infraction to probe cases of technology-driven malpractice uncovered during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on Monday in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, lamented the increasing sophistication of exam fraud, revealing that the results of 6,458 candidates are still being scrutinized for alleged involvement in high-tech cheating.
“This year we encountered some unusual cases, and we felt it necessary to broaden our resources. Thankfully, this country is blessed with experts we can draw from,” Oloyede said.
He explained that malpractice has now gone beyond conventional tricks to “technologically advanced schemes,” including biometric manipulation and identity fraud perpetrated by candidates and some accredited CBT centres.
Stressing the urgency of safeguarding the integrity of public examinations, Oloyede warned: “Examination malpractice is something that we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins. If left unchecked, it could damage many sectors and dent Nigeria’s image.”
While 141 cases of regular malpractice have already been referred to JAMB’s disciplinary committee, the newly inaugurated body will handle “extraordinary infractions” such as image blending, falsified claims of albinism, biometric (finger) pairing, and attempts to compromise CBT centres’ Local Area Networks.
The terms of reference of the committee include:
- Investigating all cases of image blending, biometric manipulation, falsified albinism claims, and result falsification in the 2025 UTME.
- Identifying the methods, tools, and technologies used in these infractions.
- Reviewing JAMB’s existing examination and registration policies and recommending reforms.
- Establishing the culpability of the 6,458 candidates whose results remain withheld (excluding those under the albinism category).
- Recommending appropriate sanctions for individuals or groups found guilty.
- Proposing a proactive framework to detect, deter, and prevent technologically driven malpractice in future exams.
- Addressing any related issues that may arise in the course of the investigation.
The committee is expected to submit its report within three weeks. Oloyede explained that the tight deadline was necessary to avoid delaying justice, noting that the 2025 admission process will close in about four weeks.
In his response, committee chairman, Dr. Jake Epele, commended Oloyede’s leadership and pledged transparency and fairness in carrying out the assignment.
“Examination malpractice is not just a violation of rules, but an attack on integrity, merit, and the future of our youth. This task is sacred, and I believe everyone here has a divine responsibility to protect the credibility of our examinations, restore public trust, and ensure that honesty and hard work remain the true path to opportunity. I assure you I will lead this committee with fairness, transparency, and determination,” he said.
The committee members include Prof. Muhammad Bello, Prof. Samuel Odewummi, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, Prof. Ibe Ifeakandu, retired Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, Dr. Chuks Okpaka of Microsoft Africa, and the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Other representatives are drawn from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, among others.
