JAMB INAUGURATES SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO CURB EXAM FRAUD……………
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has launched a 23-member Special Committee to tackle the growing wave of examination malpractice in Nigeria.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, warned that the integrity of the education system was under serious threat, with candidates and some CBT centres deploying advanced methods to cheat.
He revealed disturbing tactics uncovered this year, including image blending, where candidates merge their photos with impersonators; fingerprint sharing where multiple people gain access using combined fingerprints; and false claims of albinism, a strategy used to bypass biometric capture.
According to him, more than 6,458 results have been withheld pending investigation, while 1,873 candidates falsely claimed to be albinos.
The committee is tasked with investigating these cases, identifying methods used, recommending sanctions for culprits, and proposing long-term frameworks to prevent technology-driven exam fraud. Prof. Oloyede appealed for a prompt report to ensure innocent candidates are not denied admission as the 2025 admission window draws near.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Jake Epelle, CEO of TAF Africa, has three weeks to submit its findings. Members include academics, security agencies, student leaders, and ICT experts, reflecting a broad collaboration to safeguard the credibility of public examinations.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice, and equal opportunity for all candidates, stressing that examination malpractice not only undermines merit but also endangers the future of education in Nigeria.