…Recommends three-year ban, demands ethical training for defaulting centres
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced disciplinary measures against 11 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and several candidates following widespread biometric fraud during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration.
This decision was revealed on Tuesday during a high-level consultative meeting with education stakeholders in Abuja. The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, represented by the Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the sanctions were aimed at restoring credibility and public trust in JAMB’s examination processes.
According to JAMB, the biometric irregularities involved the deliberate manipulation of fingerprints and mis-capturing during registration. The infractions affected over 380,000 candidates, mainly across Lagos and five states in the South-East. The Registrar had earlier issued a public apology in May over the incident.
JAMB stated that individuals involved in the registration of more than 50 candidates with biometric infractions will face a three-year suspension from all activities related to the Board. This includes being disqualified from acting as CBT centre agents or participating in examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
Candidates found guilty of fewer biometric violations will be required to write a formal letter of apology and sign an undertaking to desist from similar misconduct in the future.
The Registrar stressed that no sanctioned CBT centre will be reinstated without first submitting a certificate of ethical re-training from a nearby federal university, certifying that their staff have undergone mandatory integrity education. He maintained that ignorance of ethical obligations would no longer be accepted as a defence.
The CBT centres implicated in the biometric fraud include Misau Emirate ICT Centre in Bauchi State, Ijaw National Academy in Bayelsa, and the Directorate of ICT at Nigerian Army University, Biu, Gombe State. Also sanctioned are Emerald IT Academy Limited in Benin City, Edo State, and Tigh Technologies at Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja.
Others are Jicoras CBT Centre in Babura, Jigawa State; Huntsville Technology Limited in Anthony Village, Lagos State; Jolas College CBT Centre in Obalende, Lagos; Abdul Ocean Weath CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State; the National Open University (NOUN) CBT Centre in Wase, Plateau State; and Consulate Salle D’Examen CBT Centre, located near Jonny Lane and Navy Barracks in Agip Estate, Rivers State.
Some candidates and centre operators admitted during the meeting to engaging in fingerprint manipulation. They claimed they acted under pressure or were unaware of the implications of their actions and appealed to JAMB for leniency.
However, the Board has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on examination fraud. It warned that any future breach of registration integrity by CBT centres will lead to permanent disqualification and formal reporting to relevant security and regulatory authorities.