A special committee set up by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recommended a three-year ban for candidates involved in examination malpractice during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The committee, headed by Dr. Jake Epelle, founder of The Albino Foundation, also proposed the cancellation of the results of 6,319 candidates who cheated using technology.
The cheating methods used by the candidates were sophisticated, including “finger blending,” AI-assisted image morphing, false declarations of albinism, credential forgery, and multiple National Identity Number (NIN) registrations.
The committee noted that the cheating wasn’t limited to candidates alone but also involved a syndicate of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers, schools, parents, and technical accomplices.
To address the issue, the committee proposed a multi-layered framework that includes deploying AI-powered biometric anomaly detection, dual verification systems, real-time monitoring, and a National Examination Security Operations Centre.
Additionally, the committee suggested amendments to the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to include biometric and digital fraud.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, assured the committee that the board would prioritize implementing the recommendations.
This move aims to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and ensure that examinations remain a true measure of knowledge and competence.
