The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered fingerprint manipulation and other examination malpractices at 19 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, with Imo and Anambra states topping the list.
This was revealed by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the board’s 2025 policy meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, which was attended by vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts, and other key stakeholders in the education sector.
According to JAMB’s report, six of the implicated centres are in Anambra State, followed by four in Imo. Others include one centre each in Abia, Edo, Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu, while Kano recorded two.
Prof. Oloyede also highlighted other fraudulent tactics used by candidates, such as employing albino impersonators to manipulate facial recognition systems and uploading data remotely in unauthorized ways.
In a related development, two individuals have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina for alleged impersonation during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to police prosecutor Abdussalam Danmaidaki, the first defendant, Bolanwu Emmanuel, had enlisted the second defendant, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, to write the exam on his behalf on April 30 at Zee Alpha International School, Funtua. Abdulaziz allegedly posed as Emmanuel using the registration number 2025515278JA.
The prosecution stated that the act contravenes Sections 4(2)(a) and (b), 4(3)(c), as well as Sections 3(1)(a) and (b), and 3(2)(c) of the Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor requested additional time to present witnesses.
Presiding Judge, Justice Hussaini Dadan-Garba, adjourned the case to July 18 for trial and presentation of evidence.