Panic as JAMB Panel Recommends Cancellation of 6,319 UTME Results Over Tech-Driven Cheating
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has found itself at the center of nationwide debate after a Special Committee recommended the cancellation of 6,319 UTME results. The committee uncovered widespread use of technology-driven examination malpractice, raising serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
What the Committee Discovered
According to the report presented by Dr. Jake Epelle, chair of the panel and founder of The Albino Foundation, candidates deployed sophisticated cheating methods never seen before in JAMB’s history.
Some of the violations include:
- 4,251 cases of “finger blending” during biometric verification.
- 190 instances of AI-assisted image morphing to impersonate genuine candidates.
- 1,878 false claims of albinism, exploiting special accommodation policies.
- Cases of credential forgery, multiple NIN registrations, and organized cheating rings involving CBT centers, schools, parents, and tutorial operators.
The committee noted that Nigeria’s current legal framework is outdated and inadequate to address such high-tech fraud.
Recommendations for Sanctions
To protect the integrity of the UTME, the committee recommended:
- Immediate cancellation of the 6,319 flagged results.
- One to three-year bans for offenders.
- Prosecution of implicated candidates, parents, and syndicates.
For underage candidates, however, the panel suggested rehabilitative measures, such as counseling and monitored re-registration, in line with the Child Rights Act.
Reforms to Strengthen Examination Integrity
Beyond sanctions, the committee also proposed sweeping reforms to strengthen JAMB’s operations, including:
- Deployment of AI-powered biometric anomaly detection systems.
- Establishment of a National Examination Security Operations Centre.
- Dual-verification processes at CBT centers.
- Real-time monitoring of biometric data.
- Stricter verification for candidates with disabilities.
- Legal reforms to amend the JAMB Act and Examination Malpractice Act, explicitly recognizing biometric fraud as a crime.
Why This Matters
If unchecked, examination malpractice could:
- Undermine merit-based admissions into Nigerian universities.
- Produce unqualified graduates entering critical professions.
- Destroy public trust in national examinations.
Dr. Epelle warned that:
“Examination malpractice will continue to erode merit, undermine public trust, and destroy the very foundation of Nigeria’s education system.”
Conclusion
JAMB’s swift response to this tech-enabled cheating scandal is a positive move toward preserving academic credibility. The proposed reforms promise a more secure, transparent, and merit-driven examination system. Now, the key is ensuring these recommendations turn into effective policy and action.
The recommendation to cancel 6,319 UTME results sends a strong message about JAMB’s renewed commitment to fairness, transparency, and meritocracy. Moving forward, the success of these reforms will depend on how swiftly they are implemented and whether offenders are held accountable.
For now, candidates, parents, and institutions must prepare for a new era of stricter examination security in Nigeria.