JAMB Probes 6,458 UTME Candidates Over Alleged Exam Malpractice

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has placed 6,458 admission seekers under investigation for alleged involvement in technology-enabled examination malpractice during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

On Monday, in Abuja, JAMB inaugurated a 23-member Special Committee on Examination Infraction to investigate the cases and submit its report within 21 days.

Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said candidates found culpable would face sanctions recommended by the committee.

“This year we came across a number of strange things and we felt that it would be better if we expand our resources. And we believe that God has endowed this nation with a lot of resources that we can tap from.

“Examination malpractice is something that we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins,” Oloyede said.

According to him, the disciplinary committee will also handle 141 cases of what he described as “normal” exam malpractice and “extraordinary infractions,” which include image blending, albinism falsification, finger pairing, and attempts to breach Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres’ Local Area Networks.

He outlined the committee’s terms of reference to include: investigating all reported cases of image blending, finger blending, false claims of albinism, and result falsification in the 2025 UTME.

“Number two, identify the methods, patterns, tools, and technologies used to perpetrate this infraction. Three, review current examination and registration policies and recommend improvements.

“Four, determine the culpability or otherwise of each of the 6,458 suspected candidates whose results, excluding the albinism group, are still being withheld. Propose a proactive framework for the detection, deterrence, and prevention of technologically enabled examination fraud in future exercises. Consider and advise on any issue incidental or related to these issues,” he said.

Chairman of the committee, Dr. Jake Epele, pledged fairness and transparency in the discharge of the assignment.

“Examination malpractice is not just a breach of rules. It is a direct assault on integrity, merit, and the future of our nation’s youth. The task before us is therefore a sacred one. I believe that everyone in this committee, doesn’t have a committee job.

“You have a call from God Almighty. To defend the credibility of our examination, restore public confidence, and ensure that diligence and honesty remain the true pathway to opportunity. I assure you that I will lead this committee with fairness, transparency, and determination,” he said.

Members of the committee 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.

Representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools are also part of the committee.