The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced plans to punish 11 Computer-Based Test centres for alleged fraud during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration.
JAMB said some CBT centres and their workers were involved in fingerprint irregularities. The action, according to the board, is meant to protect the fairness of its examination process.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, revealed this after a meeting with affected centre operators and students in Abuja on Tuesday. The recommendations were shared by JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
According to the board, any operator who registered more than 50 candidates using fake fingerprints or details will face a three-year suspension. Such persons will not be allowed to register for the UTME or take part in any other exams like WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB during the period.
Oloyede said, “Any registrant who has registered more than 50 candidates with problems will not take part in any JAMB activities for three years. This includes not being able to register as a candidate.”
He added that after three years, JAMB may reconsider the suspension if the person shows remorse.
For those who registered fewer than 50 candidates wrongly, JAMB will issue warnings. They must also write letters of apology and sign an agreement not to repeat the offence.
The affected CBT centres must also show proof that their staff have been trained on proper conduct. Oloyede said this training must come from a federal university near each centre.
“We will not let any of these centres work with us until they show us a letter from a federal institution confirming their staff have been trained on ethics,” he said.
The JAMB Registrar stressed that even if the centres claimed ignorance, it would not be accepted. He said they must take responsibility and prove they have taken steps to improve.
JAMB also said that for centres owned by the government, reports of their wrongdoing will be sent to the proper authorities.
Some of the operators admitted they helped candidates during registration by allowing others to contribute fingerprints. Many said they were not aware of the rules or were under pressure to register more people. Some cried and begged JAMB to be merciful.
Former Lagos Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who was present at the meeting, said the actions of the guilty operators deserved jail time, but he begged JAMB to forgive them if they promise never to do it again.
Bashir Gumel, an official of Jicoras CBT Centre, said the centre has begun an internal investigation and will report the findings to JAMB.
“We have spoken to our staff and they have admitted their actions. We will take the right steps to make sure this never happens again,” Gumel said.
The affected CBT centres include:
Misau Emirate ICT Centre, Misau, Bauchi State;
Ijaw National Academy, Kiama, Bayelsa State;
Directorate of ICT Nigerian Army University, Biu, Gombe State;
Emerald IT Academy Limited, Benin City, Edo State;
Tigh Technologies, Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja;
Jicoras CBT Centre, Babura, Jigawa State;
Huntsville Technology Limited, Anthony, Lagos State;
Jolas College CBT Centre, Obalende, Lagos State;
Abdul Ocean Wealth CBT Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State;
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Wase, Plateau State;
Consulate Salle D’Examen CBT Centre, By Jonny Lane/Navy Barrack Agip Estate, Rivers State.
JAMB said it will continue to take firm steps to make sure the UTME and other exams remain clean and trustworthy.
