The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to sanction 11 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and several candidates after uncovering widespread fingerprint irregularities during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed the decision in Abuja following a meeting with stakeholders, including affected centre operators and candidates. The move, he said, aims to protect the integrity of the examination process and is pending final approval by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa.
According to JAMB, any individual found to have registered more than 50 candidates with biometric infractions faces a three-year ban from all JAMB activities, including sitting for UTME and participating in other national exams like WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB. After the suspension, the board may review the case and lift the ban if genuine remorse is shown. Those with fewer than 50 infractions will receive warnings and must submit written apologies and sign undertakings not to repeat the offence.
For implicated CBT centres, JAMB will require operators to sign a bond of ethical compliance and provide evidence that their staff have undergone certified ethics training at a federal university. The board will not re-engage any centre until this certification is received. Centres owned by federal government agencies will be reported to the relevant authorities for further disciplinary action.
Many of the affected candidates and centre operators admitted their involvement, attributing it to ignorance or pressure to meet registration targets. Some pleaded for leniency during the meeting, with emotions running high as they acknowledged their roles.
JAMB’s crackdown comes amid growing concern over sophisticated exam fraud, including cases where CBT centres colluded with hackers to manipulate registration and examination processes. The board has warned that such malpractice threatens the credibility of Nigeria’s education system and called for urgent reforms to address these challenges.
JAMB remains committed to upholding zero tolerance for examination malpractice and restoring public confidence in its processes.
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