The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Special Committee on Examination Infractions has concluded its investigation into alleged malpractices during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and is set to submit its report to the board's management. The committee, chaired by Dr. Jake Epelle of the TAF Foundation, was tasked with probing irregularities and recommending improvements to strengthen the system's resilience against malpractice ¹.
Key Findings
- *6,458 Suspected Candidates*: The committee investigated 6,458 candidates suspected of involvement in malpractice, with their results withheld pending the outcome of the investigation.
- *Technology-Driven Malpractice*: The panel uncovered various forms of technology-driven malpractice, including ²:
- *4,251 Cases of Finger Blending*: Candidates using someone else's fingerprints to impersonate them.
- *190 Instances of AI-Assisted Impersonation*: Candidates using artificial intelligence to manipulate their images and impersonate others.
- *1,878 False Disability Claims*: Candidates falsely claiming disabilities to gain unfair advantages.
- *Recommendations*: The committee recommended ²:
- *Cancellation of Fraudulent Results*: Results obtained through malpractice should be canceled.
- *Imposing Bans*: Candidates found guilty should be banned from taking the exam for 1-3 years.
- *Prosecuting Offenders*: Candidates and collaborators involved in malpractice should be prosecuted.
- *Establishing a Central Sanctions Registry*: A registry to track candidates who have been sanctioned for malpractice.
Implications
The report's findings and recommendations have significant implications for the candidates and the education sector. If a substantial number of candidates are found guilty, they risk facing severe penalties, including cancellation of results, disqualification from future exams, or even prosecution. The report's recommendations also aim to strengthen the examination process and prevent future malpractices ³.
What's Next?
The JAMB management will review the committee's report and implement the recommended measures to prevent future malpractices. The outcome of the investigation will determine the fate of the 6,458 suspected candidates, and the board is expected to make the findings public in the coming days ¹.
