The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has raised the alarm over the growing threat of digital examination fraud in Nigeria, revealing that more than 3,000 cases are currently under investigation.
Speaking in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, described the development as both alarming and sophisticated, warning that the trend poses a serious risk to the credibility of the country’s education system, learning outcomes, research integrity, and national development.
Oloyede called for a more radical and urgent response to the menace, urging stakeholders not to treat the issue lightly.
He said, “Some people, rather than addressing the menace, are dissipating their energies on spreading unhelpful conspiracy theories and hatred, while this new crop of sophisticated digital fraudsters is jeopardising our future.
During the 2025 examinations, further high-level malpractices were uncovered, resulting in the withdrawal of some results and the arrest of several perpetrators nationwide.
“These unwholesome practices include the collusion of certain CBT centre/school proprietors to hack the networks of targeted CBT centres, thereby gaining control of candidates’ computers and remotely submitting their responses to the relevant local servers of the compromised centres, as recently discovered by security agencies, to which we are profoundly grateful.”
Other high-tech digital fraud, according to Oloyede, included AI-enabled photo blending of candidates with those of their impersonators, many of whom are current undergraduate students; registration with combined fingers, through combination of fingerprints from multiple persons for a single candidate’s registration; and extension of Local Area Networks (LAN) from some dubious centres to remote “strong rooms” as well as pairing of candidates with professional mercenaries to gain access to the examination hall.
The registrar, while lamenting that many undergraduates of tertiary institutions are found to be involved in this nefarious practice, disclosed that over 3,000 candidates nationwide have been identified as either accomplices or beneficiaries of this extraordinary examination fraud.
He, however, expressed gratitude to sister examination bodies for accommodating the board’s 2025 UTME resit examination within their tight schedules.
Oloyede also thanked the security agencies and critical stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to the success of the resit examination.
In a message to sister examination bodies, the registrar thanked them for the show of support and cooperation and acknowledged the National Examinations Council (NECO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for graciously agreeing to reschedule their respective examinations.
He also extended his appreciation to the security agencies for their support and commendable efforts in apprehending culprits involved in examination malpractice. He also commended the candidates’ resilience.
While thanking the government and the good people of Nigeria for their patience and understanding, the board assured the nation of its sincere and dedicated service at all times.
Leave feedback about this