Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI) set up by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said its findings revealed that examination malpractice has evolved into a highly organised, technology-driven, and culturally normalised enterprise. Raising concern over the technology-driven examination malpractice, chairman of the committee, Dr Jake Ekpelle said “we documented 4,251 cases of “finger blending” 190 cases of AI-assisted image morphing, 1,878 false declarations of albinism, and numerous cases of credential forgery, multiple National Identity Number, NIN registrations, and solicitation schemes.
Ekpelle, who disclosed this while delivering the committee’s report to JAMB registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, in Abuja, said the findings were both disturbing and urgent. According to him, this fraud is not the work of candidates alone—it is sustained by syndicates involving some CBT centres, schools, parents, tutorial operators, and even technical accomplices.
Ekpelle also said that legal frameworks remain inadequate to tackle biometric and digital fraud, while public confidence in Nigeria’s examination system is dangerously eroding. “Worst of all, malpractice has become culturally normalized, seen by many as an acceptable shortcut to success,” he said.
The committee recommended a multi-layered framework anchored on detection, deterrence, and prevention to restore integrity and boost confidence in the system. On detection, the committee called for the deployment of AI-powered biometric anomaly systems, real-time monitoring, and a National Examination Security Operations Centre.
It advised cancelation of all results of confirmed fraudulent candidates, impose bans on 1–3 years, prosecute both candidates and their collaborators, and create a Central Sanctions Registry accessible to institutions and employers. The committee also wants strengthening of mobile-first self-service platforms, digitise correction workflows, tighten disability verification, and ban bulk school-led registrations.
“Legal Reform: Amend the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to recognise biometric and digital fraud, and provide for a Legal Unit within JAMB. “Cultural Reorientation: Launch a nationwide Integrity First campaign, embed ethics into curricula, and enforce parental accountability. “Special Measures for Minors: For under-18 offenders, apply rehabilitative measures under the Child Rights Act, with focus on counseling and supervised reregistration,” he said.
The chairman warned that if left unchecked, malpractice would continue to “erode merit, undermine public trust, and destroy the foundation of Nigeria’s human capital development.” While receiving the report, JAMB registrar, Oloyede noted that the report will be given accelerated attention, especially on issues that fall within the purview of JAMB, while the Board will interface with the National Assembly for review of its legal instrument where necessary.
