UTME 2025: JAMB uncovers id, biometric fraud and 244 instances of ‘WhatsApp runs’ throughout Nigeria
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered widespread examination malpractices within the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), together with id fraud, biometric manipulation, and 244 instances of candidates subscribing to so-called “WhatsApp runs” for leaked questions.
This was revealed by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, throughout a press convention on Friday on the Board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, the place he formally introduced the discharge of the 2025 UTME outcomes.
Prof. Oloyede stated the Board had withheld the outcomes of the 244 candidates concerned within the dishonest syndicate and vowed that extreme sanctions would comply with.
“244 candidates have been caught participating in ‘WhatsApp runs,’ subscribing to rogue {groups} promising leaked questions,” he stated.
The Registrar famous that the Board detected new developments of examination malpractices that counsel “systemic vulnerabilities or gaps in registration and examination administration or/and monitoring.”
“The brand new developments noticed have been within the Registration and Examination processes, they usually have been primarily within the following classes: Id Fraud, and Biometric Fraud of Mixed Thumbprint of Candidate,” Oloyede said.
Different infractions recognized by JAMB included impersonation throughout registration, double registration, and tried substitution of candidates. The Board added that these actions have been typically carried out in collusion with some CBT centres.
Variety of outcomes withheld
JAMB confirmed that it had withheld 96 outcomes on account of confirmed infractions, a discount from 123 withheld ends in 2024.
In the meantime, 39,834 outcomes are nonetheless underneath investigation, and 1,426 candidates are dealing with scrutiny for suspected malpractice.
“The Board has recognized the presence of extraneous fingers within the registration particulars of a few of these candidates. This raises issues concerning potential methods for impersonation. A complete of three,656 candidates fall inside this class. Consequently, the outcomes of the candidates have been withheld,” Oloyede added.
He famous that 2,157 candidates skilled fingerprint rejections, considerably above regular ranges.
CBT centres underneath investigation
JAMB recognized a number of Pc-Primarily based Check (CBT) centres implicated in aiding malpractice and a number of registrations. The affected centres embody:
- Tigh Applied sciences Restricted
- Sascon Worldwide Faculty, Maitama, Abuja
- Wudil Pc Info Expertise, Kano State
- Penta M & Centre 2, Tambuwal LGA, Sokoto State
Oloyede stated some CBT centres allegedly aided candidates in bypassing biometric protocols, noting that in some instances, total syndicates colluded with CBT centres to register utilizing a number of fingerprints.
- He added that 80 suspects are at the moment being interrogated by the Nigeria Police over their roles within the examination fraud, and plenty of of them can be prosecuted.
Relating to underage candidates, JAMB stated that of the 41,027 candidates beneath the age of 16 who registered for the UTME, solely 467 met the high-performance exemption standards. One was disqualified for examination malpractice.
Extra insights
The Registrar additionally gave updates on the JAMB Equal Alternative Group (JEOG), a particular initiative designed to supply honest testing situations for candidates with disabilities, disclosing that 501 of them have been efficiently examined throughout 11 centres nationwide, although one candidate was discovered to have engaged in impersonation.
JAMB has delisted 4 CBT centres for technical deficiencies and substandard companies throughout the 2025 UTME, which embody
- Journey Affiliate, Behind Sheshe Grocery store, Kano
- Saadatu Rimi School of Training, Zaria
- Soronara Ventures Nigeria Restricted, Mbaitoli, Imo State
- HSS Wonderful, Holy Saviour Faculty, Itele, Ogun State
Oloyede famous {that a} separate listing of CBT centres blacklisted for fraudulent practices can be made public quickly.