The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has held back the results of 6,458 candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination over what it described as “high-tech cheating.”
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while inaugurating a special committee set up to probe the rising cases of technology-driven malpractice detected during the exams.
According to him, malpractice in UTME has moved beyond traditional tricks to “technologically sophisticated forms,” many of which were allegedly aided by some accredited Computer Based Test centres.
Oloyede said, “This year we came across a number of strange things and we felt that it would be better if we expand our resources. We believe that God has endowed this nation with a lot of resources that we can tap from.”
He added, “Examination malpractice is something that we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins.”
The JAMB boss revealed that while 141 cases of what he called “normal” malpractice have been referred to the disciplinary committee, the new panel would handle what he described as “extraordinary infractions,” including identity fraud, finger pairing, image blending, falsified albinism claims, and attempts to tamper with CBT centres’ networks.
He stressed that leaving such fraud unchecked could damage several sectors and dent Nigeria’s image.
The committee, chaired by Jake Epelle, was given three weeks to submit its report. Its duties include investigating all suspicious cases in the 2025 UTME, identifying the technologies used in the fraud, recommending punishment for those found guilty, and proposing measures to stop such cheating in future exams.
“We have chosen three weeks because justice delayed is said to be justice denied. In about four weeks, admission will close. And we believe that those who are found not to be guilty should have the opportunity,” Oloyede explained.
Epelle praised JAMB’s leadership and pledged fairness in carrying out the assignment. He said, “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, you don’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 remains the true pathway to opportunity,” he added.
Committee members include university professors, security agencies, representatives of Microsoft Africa, the Nigeria Police, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Association of Nigerian Students.
