JAMB’s Mass Failure Signals End of Exam Malpractices, Says Education Minister

The recent surge in failure rates in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has been hailed as a victory for Nigeria’s education system, according to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

 Speaking on Channels Television, Alausa attributed the disappointing results to the effectiveness of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) computer-based testing system, which he claimed has significantly reduced cheating.

Alausa, a former teacher, noted that the inability to cheat in JAMB exams has made it challenging for students to rely on shortcuts.

He added that this is a clear indication that the system is now more secure and less susceptible to manipulation.

“Exams are now being conducted the right way. Students can no longer bypass the system,” he stated

He also compared JAMB’s integrity to other examinations, such as WAEC and NECO, where malpractice is still prevalent.

Many students are used to cheating during their secondary school examinations. However, with its strict regulations and technology-driven monitoring, the JAMB system presents a new challenge that students cannot bypass.

In response to the persistent cheating issues in other exams, Alausa announced that, starting from November 2025, WAEC and NECO will transition to computer-based testing.

By 2027, he promised that all major national exams, including WAEC, NECO, EMBRAS, and NBTEB, would be fully digitised, eliminating any chances of fraud.

The Education Minister clarified that combating exam malpractice is a government priority, not only for students but also for parents and invigilators who have been complicit in the fraudulent system.

He expressed his deep concern over the demoralising effect of cheating, which leads honest students to lose motivation to study.

“It is important to clean up the system because we must build a generation that values hard work and integrity,” Alausa stated.

While acknowledging the challenges, he expressed optimism for the future, noting that Nigeria’s youth, though often hindered by a flawed educational system, possess great potential.

He affirmed the government’s commitment to rooting out malpractice and fostering a culture of honesty.