JAMB Uncovers 6,000 Cases of Tech-Driven Examination Fraud

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered over 6,000 cases of examination malpractice in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), exposing the growing sophistication of fraud in Nigeria’s education system.

The discovery was made by the Special Committee on Examination Infractions, inaugurated on August 18, and chaired by Dr. Jake Epelle, who presented its report in Abuja yesterday.

Epelle disclosed that the infractions ranged from biometric fraud and digital identity manipulation to fake National Identification Numbers (NINs) and credential forgery. He revealed that 1,878 candidates falsely claimed to be persons with albinism, while 190 cases of artificial intelligence-assisted image morphing were documented.

In all, the committee reported 4,251 incidents of “finger blending,” a method used to manipulate biometric verification, alongside widespread cases of multiple NIN registrations and syndicate-backed schemes.

“This fraud is not the work of candidates alone,” Epelle warned. “It is sustained by syndicates involving some computer-based test (CBT) centres, schools, parents, tutorial operators, and even technical accomplices. Examination malpractice has become a highly organised, technology-driven, and culturally normalised enterprise.”

The panel expressed concern that existing legal instruments remain inadequate to confront emerging threats posed by biometric and digital fraud, stressing that public confidence in the examination system is already under strain.

Recommendations

The committee urged JAMB to deploy advanced measures, including AI-powered biometric anomaly detection, dual verification systems, and real-time monitoring, while also establishing a National Examination Security Operations Centre.

It further recommended the cancellation of results of candidates confirmed to have cheated, the imposition of bans ranging from one to three years, and prosecution of offenders and their collaborators. The creation of a Central Sanctions Registry, accessible to institutions and employers, was also proposed.

In addition, the committee advised JAMB to digitise correction workflows, strengthen mobile-first self-service platforms, tighten disability verification processes, and prohibit bulk registrations led by schools.

Calling for legislative intervention, the report urged amendments to both the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to formally recognise biometric and digital fraud, as well as the establishment of a dedicated Legal Unit within the board.