The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has uncovered what he described as organised syndicates deploying artificial intelligence tools to defraud candidates registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, Oloyede warned that both candidates and parents found culpable in examination malpractice would face stiff sanctions, stressing that the Board would no longer condone acts capable of undermining the integrity of the country’s admission process.
“We convened this briefing to address activities that strike at the heart of fairness, merit and integrity in our educational system,” he said.
“Over the years, the Board has invested heavily — financially, technologically and institutionally — to protect the credibility of the UTME. These efforts are necessary to safeguard millions of honest candidates.”
The registrar disclosed that investigations revealed criminal groups using AI-generated platforms to impersonate JAMB officials and offer fraudulent assistance to candidates for a fee.
“What is important to emphasise is that the students involved and their parents cannot claim innocence,” Oloyede stated.
“Those who subscribed and paid to be assisted are willing collaborators. We are making recommendations to the relevant authorities, particularly the Minister of Education, that their registrations be cancelled.”
According to him, over 100 candidates have been implicated so far, with 83 confirmed to have made payments across 25 states. He noted that the cases were not limited to any specific region of the country.
“This shows that the problem is widespread and not peculiar to one part of Nigeria,” he said.
Oloyede also dismissed claims circulating online that JAMB had increased its registration fees.
“It is completely false. We have not increased our fee. If anyone is charging above the approved amount, such cases should be reported to the Board immediately,” he added.
He revealed that some Computer-Based Test centres linked to the fraud had already been sanctioned. “We have suspended the participation of some centres this morning,” he said.
Rejecting suggestions that JAMB should negotiate with suspects, Oloyede maintained that criminal acts would be handled in accordance with the law.
“How do you negotiate with criminals? It is like suggesting we continue using fake drugs because genuine ones are scarce,” he remarked.
He disclosed that some suspects who fled the country after last year’s examination had begun seeking dialogue with the Board.
“They should submit themselves to due process. We will refer them to the security agencies. If cleared, that is their issue. But we will not negotiate with criminals,” he said.
The registrar further warned that paying for examination malpractice constitutes a criminal offence.
“Let it be clearly understood that paying for fraud is a crime. Receiving illegal assistance is punishable. Even being part of a WhatsApp group where such fake services are promoted will no longer be tolerated. Ignorance will not be accepted as a defence,” he cautioned.
Addressing parents directly, Oloyede said, “When you pay for fraud, you are not securing your child’s future; you are destroying it. You are teaching them that deception is acceptable and that merit is optional.”
He also raised concerns about the involvement of underage candidates in the scheme, describing the trend as alarming.
On the Board’s preparedness to counter sophisticated digital fraud, Oloyede expressed confidence in JAMB’s technological capacity and collaboration with security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Directorate of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“As they are planning, we are planning,” he said.
“We have systems that can detect prohibited devices during examinations. We are ahead of them. Our only challenge is managing public perception.”
The 2026 UTME registration commenced on January 26 and closed at accredited centres on February 28, with over 1.5 million candidates registered as of mid-February.
Oloyede concluded with an appeal to the media and the public.
“We urge the press to help us sensitise parents. Let us do things the right way. Do not introduce your children to crime.”
