The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has raised alarm over a sharp increase in digital examination fraud, calling for urgent and bold action to curb the growing threat. He revealed that over 3,000 candidates are currently under investigation for alleged involvement in sophisticated cheating during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Oloyede described the development as worrisome and a direct threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s education system. He warned that the rise in technology-driven malpractice could destroy the quality of education, weaken research efforts, and harm national development.
According to him, the 2025 UTME revealed deeper and more complex methods of cheating that go beyond traditional practices. He said some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres colluded with school proprietors and hired fraudsters to hack into the servers of legitimate centres, allowing them to control candidates’ computers remotely.
“These culprits gained access to the local servers of targeted CBT centres and submitted answers on behalf of candidates from remote locations,” Oloyede explained. “These actions are not just illegal but also pose a serious risk to the country’s education future.”
The JAMB registrar said the new tricks included the use of artificial intelligence to blend candidates’ photographs with those of impersonators, making it difficult to detect fake identities. Others include registering with combined fingerprints from multiple people, extending Local Area Networks (LAN) to external ‘strong rooms’, and pairing candidates with mercenaries who complete the exam for them.
He expressed disappointment that many of the suspects identified are undergraduates who previously gained admission through similar fraudulent means.
“We are seeing a disturbing trend where students who cheated their way into universities are now helping others to do the same,” he said. “This is a national emergency. If we don’t act now, the consequences will be dire.”
Oloyede said some results were withdrawn due to these malpractices and many arrests were made. He thanked security agencies for their help in tracking and apprehending suspects and urged the public to stop spreading unfounded conspiracy theories and instead support efforts to restore integrity to the system.
He also expressed gratitude to sister examination bodies such as the National Examinations Council (NECO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for accommodating JAMB’s rescheduled UTME for affected candidates.
“We are deeply grateful for the flexibility and cooperation shown by these institutions,” Oloyede said. “Their support enabled us to successfully conduct the UTME resit within tight timelines.”
He also commended the Federal Government and Nigerians for their patience and understanding during the crisis, assuring that JAMB remains committed to upholding standards and ensuring fairness in the admissions process.
Meanwhile, education stakeholders have called for tougher penalties for compromised CBT centres and individuals involved in exam fraud. Some have suggested the introduction of new laws and improved surveillance systems to match the sophistication of digital fraud.
Nigeria, like many countries, faces increasing challenges with digital examination malpractice. Experts say that as testing moves further into the digital space, institutions must invest in stronger cybersecurity and smarter technologies to secure assessments.
JAMB, which switched to CBT in 2013, has made progress in tackling traditional forms of malpractice. However, the 2025 UTME has shown that fraudsters are also advancing, and new strategies will be needed to keep pace.
For now, Oloyede and his team appear focused on cleaning up the system and ensuring that Nigeria’s future leaders earn their place through merit, not manipulation.
