"Systemic Fraud Exposed: Who’s Really Behind the UTME Scandal?"

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that a significant number of candidates engaged in high-tech malpractice during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). A special committee, established to investigate examination irregularities, identified 6,319 cases of technology-enabled fraud, including 4,251 instances of "finger blending"—a method where candidates manipulate biometric data—and 190 cases of AI-assisted impersonation through image morphing. The findings underscore a troubling trend of systematic, technology-driven fraud involving collusion between candidates, parents, schools, CBT centres, and tutorial operators.

The committee noted that 1,878 candidates falsely claimed disabilities, particularly albinism, to gain undue advantages. Additional violations included forged academic credentials, multiple National Identification Number (NIN) registrations, and the involvement of organized syndicates in facilitating malpractice. The report also highlighted that the legal frameworks currently in place are insufficient to address the evolving nature of digital and biometric fraud.

The panel’s investigation further indicated that these malpractices have become so normalized that they are perceived as routine by many stakeholders. Dr. Jake Epelle, the committee’s chairperson, emphasized that the fraud is not solely the work of individual candidates but is sustained by a network of actors, including schools and CBT operators. This systemic issue has eroded public trust in the integrity of the examination process and threatens to devalue the educational system as a whole.

To counter these threats, the committee has proposed a multi-tiered approach that combines detection, deterrence, and prevention. These include the deployment of AI-powered biometric anomaly detection tools, real-time monitoring systems, and the establishment of a National Examination Security Operations Centre. Additionally, the committee recommended the cancellation of results for confirmed fraudulent candidates and the imposition of bans ranging from one to three years for those found guilty. A Central Sanctions Registry was also proposed to track and enforce penalties across institutions and employers.

Legal and policy reforms were emphasized as key to addressing the root causes of the problem. The panel urged that the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act be amended to cover biometric and digital fraud, alongside the creation of a dedicated Legal Unit within JAMB. The committee also suggested the introduction of a nationwide "Integrity First" campaign and the inclusion of ethics education in school curricula to foster a culture of accountability. For candidates under 18, the recommendations focus on rehabilitative measures, such as counselling and supervised reintegration, in line with the Child Rights Act.

JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede expressed commitment to implementing the recommendations, particularly those within the board’s mandate, while consulting with the Ministry of Education for those outside its authority. Oloyede emphasized that examination malpractice is not a victimless act but one that undermines meritocracy, devalues education, and risks producing unqualified professionals. As the board moves forward with these reforms, it remains to be seen whether these measures can effectively restore public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.