JAMB Sets Up Special Committee to Probe High-Tech Exam Malpractice in 2025 UTME
PIC.19. STUDENTS WRITING THE JOINT ADMISSION AND MATRICULATION BOARD COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATION AT YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LAGOS ON TUESDAY (20/5/14). 3115/20/05/2014/WAS/AIN/NAN
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched a 23-member special committee to investigate rising cases of high-tech examination malpractice in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Over 6,400 UTME results remain under suspension, pending investigations into alleged use of advanced fraud methods such as biometric manipulation, impersonation, and hacking attempts during the exam.
Why JAMB Suspended the Results
Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that examination malpractice has gone beyond traditional forms of cheating. He noted that candidates are now exploiting technology in alarming ways.
“Examination malpractice is something we must fight with every pinch of blood in our veins,” Oloyede declared, warning that failing to act could damage Nigeria’s global reputation and deny hardworking students their future.
While JAMB has already referred about 141 regular malpractice cases to its disciplinary committee, this new panel will specifically focus on “extraordinary” fraud cases, including:
- Finger and image blending
- Fake albinism claims to bypass biometric checks
- Impersonation and result falsification
Committee’s Mandate
The special panel has been tasked to:
- Investigate all high-tech malpractice cases in the 2025 UTME.
- Identify tools and methods used to carry out these frauds.
- Review JAMB’s current policies and highlight loopholes.
- Decide the fate of the 6,458 candidates whose results are still on hold.
- Recommend appropriate sanctions.
- Propose long-term solutions to stop future technology-driven exam fraud.
- Submit a full report within three weeks.
Prof. Oloyede stressed the urgency, noting that universities will close admissions in four weeks. Innocent candidates must get their results released on time to avoid missing their chances.
Committee Leaders Speak
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Jake Epele, described the assignment as a “sacred duty”, calling exam malpractice an attack on merit and integrity. He assured Nigerians that the panel will handle the matter with fairness, transparency, and determination.
Who is on the Committee?
The 23-member panel includes a mix of professors, tech experts, and security officials such as:
- 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
- Representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, NANS, and NAPPS
Why This Matters to Students
For thousands of UTME candidates, this decision could determine their admission into Nigerian universities. The suspended results represent the hopes of students who may lose their future if wrongly accused—or the integrity of the system if fraudsters go free.
With over 6,400 futures hanging in the balance, all eyes are on this committee to deliver answers quickly.
You may also like to read: JAMB Sets Strict 2025 Admission Deadlines for Universities and Other Institutions
