The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered massive use of digital tricks to compromise the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
A special panel on examination infractions revealed 4,251 cases of fingerprint manipulation—popularly called “finger blending”—and 192 cases of artificial intelligence-driven impersonation using image morphing technology.
The committee also flagged 1,878 fake disability claims, multiple registrations with the same National Identification Number (NIN), forged documents, and collusion between candidates and exam syndicates.
Growing Culture of Malpractice
Committee chairman Dr. Jake Epelle described the findings as a disturbing sign of how malpractice is being normalised in Nigeria’s education system. He noted that some parents, schools, tutorial centres and computer-based test operators aided candidates, while weak laws made it difficult to punish offenders.
Proposed Reforms
To restore integrity, the panel urged JAMB to:
- Deploy AI tools for biometric verification
- Set up a central security operations centre for real-time monitoring
- Tighten disability claim verification
- Restrict mass registrations by schools
- Push for tougher laws against digital exam fraud
- Run a nationwide “Integrity First” campaign targeting candidates and parents
Sanctions
The panel recommended cancellation of fraudulent results, bans of one to three years, and prosecution of offenders. It also suggested creating a Central Sanctions Registry accessible to schools and employers.
For under-18 offenders, however, it advised rehabilitation through counselling and supervised re-registration, in line with the Child Rights Act.
The Bigger Picture
The panel warned that if exam fraud continues unchecked, Nigeria risks eroding trust in public institutions, weakening meritocracy, and undermining the foundations of its education system.
“Safeguarding the UTME is not just about admissions,” the committee stressed. “It is about protecting the future of our nation.”
