Recent allegations have surfaced against operators of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres accredited by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), suggesting widespread malpractices during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Investigations reveal that some centre operators may have colluded with hackers, providing access to technical information that allowed for manipulation of the examination.
The issues became apparent following a series of technical glitches that marred the May 2025 UTME, resulting in mass failures where approximately 1.5 million of the 1.9 million candidates scored below 200 out of 400 marks. JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede publicly expressed his distress over the situation, shedding tears during a press conference.
In a significant crackdown, law enforcement arrested at least 20 suspects in Abuja for their involvement in hacking various CBT centres. JAMB has since raised concerns regarding candidates using Artificial Intelligence to impersonate others and falsely claiming albinism as a means to cheat. Data presented at JAMB’s policy meeting in July revealed that CBT centres in Imo and Anambra states were particularly notable for engaging in finger-pairing malpractices.
By August, the board announced investigations into 6,458 admission seekers suspected of using technology to commit examination fraud. A special committee was established to probe these cases, with expectations for a report within 21 days.
A hacker identified as Ahmed claimed, “Some centres make their IPs available to hackers, allowing us to access questions and candidates’ login details.” Ahmed explained that candidates were often logged out intentionally to let mercenaries outside the centres complete the exams on their behalf. This operation has been reportedly facilitated by insider knowledge within the centres.
An education consultant confirmed that such breaches could not occur without insider involvement, asserting that unethical operators are profiting from the fraud. A Lagos-based CBT operator admitted that the centres were aware of server compromises but chose to ignore them for financial gain.
However, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin refuted claims that the board’s website had been hacked, stating that JAMB’s systems are not internet-enabled and that candidates’ biometric data grants access to the examination. He emphasized that any alleged breaches of examination integrity originate from compromised local servers within specific CBT centres.
Meanwhile, Austin Ohaekelem, President of the Computer Based Test Centre Proprietors Association of Nigeria, acknowledged the problem but insisted that not all CBT centres were involved in malpractices and urged for clarity on genuine technical glitches.
Concerns have also been raised over the lengths to which candidates will go in attempting to cheat. Ogundokun Olufunso, Secretary of the Association of Tutorial School Operators in Oyo State, highlighted the risk of biometric manipulation, while others claimed that many legitimate candidates often fell victim to system errors.
Education experts, including Emehinola Omodara from Toppers Coaching Centre and Taiwo Folorunsho from Campusinfo Consult Limited, called on JAMB to reassess and strengthen its systems to combat these ongoing issues effectively.
As investigations continue, the future of exam integrity in Nigeria hangs in the balance, with calls for substantial reforms to restore public confidence in the educational assessment process.