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The widespread biometric fraud in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) across the country is condemnable. Some reports put the biometric fraud at 4,251 cases, while others peg it at over 6,000 cases. Regardless of the exact number of the biometric fraud cases, it is monumental. It has also boldly underlined the decay in our examination system. The fraud, according reports, was perpetrated by the candidates and their accomplices through sophisticated, technology-enabled malpractices. This was contained in a report by the board’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI) submitted to the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, by the committee’s chairman Dr. Jake Epelle.
Apart from the biometric fraud, the report revealed that there were also 190 cases of AI-assisted impersonation through image morphing during the examination. The report from the JAMB committee proves that examination malpractice in the country has become highly organised and technology-driven with the collusion of candidates, their parents, and examination centres. Other cases of fraud during the examination included 1,878 false disability claims, forged credentials and multiple National Identification Number (NIN) registrations.
We frown at the rising cases of biometric fraud in UTME and urge JAMB to step up measures to check the menace. There is no denying the fact that JAMB’s effort to curtail examination malpractices has been matched with the same intensity from examination fraudsters. The revelation from the JAMB committee is disturbing and unacceptable. The biometric fraud shows that the candidates for the examinations are not ready to study. It is part of the laziness and shortcut to success syndrome that has permeated the fabric of the society. Unfortunately, the menace of examination malpractice in the country is largely orchestrated and arranged by parents, school teachers, tutorial centres, CBT centres, students and other stakeholders. It is sad that many of the parents involved in this despicable act are highly placed individuals in society. It is lamentable that the decadence in the society has permeated the examination system. No doubt, attempts by JAMB to checkmate examination malpractice have proved abortive. Therefore, the body should recalibrate its system and change its strategies.
In recent times, those who scored very high marks in the UTME were unable to replicate the same feat when an independent, well-monitored examination of the same standard was conducted for them. It showed that the candidates were beneficiaries of a manipulated examination process. Sometimes, when these candidates are not apprehended, they go on to populate universities and come out with poor grades. We agree that examination malpractice has contributed to producing half-baked and ill-equipped graduates in our tertiary institutions. Most times, candidates who score very high marks are not able to cope with the rigours of learning in higher institutions. This also affects the efficiency of the workforce across the country because institutions end up producing graduates who are not knowledgeable enough for the tasks ahead. Surely, examination malpractice undermines merit and exalts mediocrity. It is at the heart of the rot in our educational system. Cheating in UTME has become entrenched. JAMB must act decisively to change the ugly narrative. We enjoin JAMB and the federal government to rise to the occasion to restore integrity in the system.
At the same time, the federal government must assist JAMB and other examination bodies to restore credibility in our examination systems. JAMB should embark on a massive deployment of AI-powered biometric anomaly tools, which will counter any AI technology-driven fraudulent scheme. The AI anomaly tool should be monitored in real time through a central examination security operations centre. JAMB officials and personnel involved in the exercise must be above board and very professional. They should not be compromised. JAMB should cancel the results of any centre found to have indulged in examination malpractice and sanction such centres for a specified period of time. Also, those involved in examination malpractice, whether candidates, parents or teachers, should be prosecuted and given adequate punishment. If a candidate who commits examination malpractice is less than 18 years, he should undergo a rehabilitation procedure as specified under the Child Rights Act. JAMB should also digitalise its correction processes, strengthen disability verification, tighten mobile-first platforms and scrap bulk school-led registrations. We believe that these measures will check the biometric fraud and enhance the integrity of JAMB’s UTME. Above all, let JAMB check corruption at CBT centres nationwide as well as insider abuse in its examination process.
