The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has concluded its investigation into exam malpractice during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and the findings are shocking. A high-level committee has revealed that more than 6,000 results are at risk of cancellation after uncovering new technology-driven methods of cheating.
This scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system. It also sends a strong message to 2026 UTME candidates: malpractice is no longer as easy as some students think.
The committee, led by Dr. Jake Epelle, founder of The Albino Foundation, found that cheating syndicates are now using advanced tools and tactics. More than 4,200 candidates were caught using biometric manipulation, known as “finger blending,” which allowed impostors to sit exams on behalf of real candidates. Another 190 candidates used AI-powered image morphing to alter their photos during identity verification.
The investigation also exposed over 1,800 students who made false disability claims to access special exam privileges. Others presented fake documents, registered multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs), or worked with compromised CBT centres.
Worse still, the malpractice network extended beyond students. According to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, more than 80 percent of cases involved direct parental support. Some parents even sponsored fraud rings to secure admission for their children at all costs.
The probe did not just expose malpractice; it also suggested bold reforms. The report recommended:
- Cancelling all compromised results linked to fraud.
- Deploying AI-powered biometric systems and dual-verification methods.
- Establishing a National Examination Security Operations Centre for live monitoring.
- Updating the JAMB Act and Examination Malpractice Act to cover new crimes like AI fraud and biometric tampering.
- Tightening the verification of disability claims.
- Launching an “Integrity First” national campaign to educate students and parents about exam honesty.
The committee also advised that underage offenders be handled through corrective measures under the Child Rights Act, rather than punishment alone.
Prof. Oloyede accepted the report and stressed that exam malpractice is not a minor issue. He explained that when fraudulent candidates gain admission, they eventually graduate into roles they cannot handle, producing incompetent doctors, lawyers, and engineers. For him, malpractice is a national crisis that threatens Nigeria’s workforce and reputation.
He also promised that JAMB would act on the recommendations, ensuring that future UTME exams are more secure and fair for genuine candidates.
The big lesson from this probe is clear: cheating is no longer safe. JAMB has invested heavily in advanced technology, and anyone caught will lose their result, their admission chance, and their credibility.
For 2026 candidates, the way forward is simple:
- Prepare honestly with past questions.
- Understand your subject combinations.
- Avoid shortcuts, agents, or miracle centres.
- Focus on genuine study, because effort always pays in the long run.
The 2025 scandal shows that JAMB is determined to protect hardworking students from being cheated out of admission. Technology may keep changing, but so will JAMB’s ability to detect fraud.
More than 6,000 UTME results may be canceled, but the bigger message is about the future. Nigeria cannot afford to keep producing graduates through fraud. For candidates aiming at JAMB 2026, the safest path is preparation, not malpractice.
As JAMB tightens its system, honest students now have a better chance to succeed. Work hard, prepare early, and trust the process. That way, your admission will be based on merit, not manipulation.
