The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has raised an alarm over sophisticated exam malpractice threatening Nigeria’s education system.
The warning followed a report submitted in Abuja by JAMB’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions, SCEI, to the Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede. The panel was chaired by Dr. Jake Epelle.
According to the report, investigators uncovered “4,251 cases of finger blending and 190 cases of AI-assisted impersonation through image morphing during the 2025 UTME.”
The committee, inaugurated on August 18, 2025, was mandated to probe the rise in exam malpractice, assess JAMB’s systems, and recommend reforms.
Epelle described the task as “a moral obligation, a national service, and a fight for the soul of meritocracy in Nigeria.”
Malpractice Becoming Normalised
The findings revealed malpractice has become highly organised and technology-driven. Cases included forged credentials, multiple NIN registrations, collusion with syndicates, and 1,878 false disability claims.
The committee also found that parents, tutorial centres, schools, and some CBT operators were deeply involved in aiding these schemes. Weak laws and poor enforcement further enabled the practice to spread.
Epelle warned: “If left unchecked, examination malpractice will continue to erode merit, undermine public trust, and destroy the very foundation of Nigeria’s education.”
Do you think stricter laws will really deter malpractice, or is cultural change the only solution?
Recommended Reforms
To restore credibility, the panel proposed AI-powered biometric anomaly detection, real-time monitoring, and a central Examination Security Operations Centre.
It also advised cancellation of fraudulent results, bans of one to three years, and prosecution of offenders. A Central Sanctions Registry would be created to guide institutions and employers.
Further measures include digitising correction processes, verifying disability claims, tightening mobile-first platforms, and banning bulk school-led registrations.
The committee urged amendments to the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to criminalise biometric and digital fraud. It also recommended a dedicated Legal Unit within JAMB.
For offenders under 18, the panel advised rehabilitation rather than punishment. Measures would include counseling, supervised reintegration, and support under the Child Rights Act.
It also called for a national Integrity First campaign, embedding ethics into school curricula, and holding parents accountable for aiding malpractice.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles. You can also Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
