The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed a significant crackdown on fingerprint fraud across its Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide, with Imo and Anambra states topping the list of implicated centres. According to data shared during JAMB’s 2025 policy meeting on Tuesday, a total of 19 centres were found to be involved in finger pairing malpractices.
Anambra state accounted for six of these centres, while Imo had four. Other states with affected centres include Abia, Edo, Kano, Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu. The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed these findings during a critical meeting held in Abuja with vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts.
Professor Oloyede also highlighted other fraudulent activities such as the use of albinos by impersonators to manipulate exam images and the remote uploading of exam results. These revelations underscore the persistent challenges facing the integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a related development, law enforcement agencies have taken action against two suspects, Bolanwu Emmanuel and Ibrahim Abdulaziz, who were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina for examination malpractice and impersonation. The police prosecutor, Abdussalam Danmaidaki, explained that Emmanuel invited Abdulaziz to impersonate him during the UTME held on April 30 at Zee Alpha International School, Funtua.
The prosecutor cited sections 4(2)(a) and (b), and 4(3)(c) of the Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, under which the defendants are charged. Both suspects pleaded not guilty, and the trial has been adjourned to July 18 for the presentation of witnesses.
Okay.ng reports that these incidents highlight ongoing efforts to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process.
