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A Special Committee set up by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recommended a multi-layered framework built on detection, deterrence, and prevention, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help curb the challenge of Examination Infractions during exams.
This was part of the recommendations in a report submitted by the Chairman of the Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI), Dr. Jake Epelle, to the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said the recommendations were put forward to improve the integrity of Nigeria’s admission system globally.
“On Detection, there is a need to deploy AI-powered biometric anomaly detection, dual verification systems, real-time monitoring, and a National Examination Security Operations Centre.
“Deterrence: Cancel results of confirmed fraudulent candidates, impose bans of 1–3 years, prosecute both candidates and their collaborators, and create a Central Sanctions Registry accessible to institutions and employers.
“Prevention: Strengthen mobile-first self-service platforms, digitise correction workflows, tighten disability verification, and ban bulk school-led registrations,” he said.
According to him, the committee also recommended legal reform to the JAMB and Exam Malpractice Acts, as well as how to handle minors involved in exam infractions.
“Amend the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to recognise biometric and digital fraud, and provide for a Legal Unit within JAMB.
“Cultural Reorientation: Launch a nationwide Integrity First campaign, embed ethics into curricula, and enforce parental accountability.
“Special Measures for Minors: For under-18 offenders, apply rehabilitative measures under the Child Rights Act, with focus on counselling and supervised re-registration,” he said.
He said the Committee, while working based on its terms of reference, discovered that examination malpractice has evolved into a highly organised and technology-driven enterprise.
“We documented 4,251 cases of “finger blending,” 190 cases of AI-assisted image morphing, 1,878 false declarations of albinism, and numerous cases of credential forgery, multiple NIN registrations, and solicitation schemes.
“This fraud is not the work of candidates alone—it is sustained by syndicates involving some CBT centres, schools, parents, tutorial operators, and even technical accomplices,” he said.
He said exam infractions, if left unchecked, will continue to erode merit, undermine public trust, and destroy the very foundation of Nigeria’s education and human capital development.
“But if we act with courage—through bold reforms, technological innovation, cultural reorientation, and uncompromising enforcement—we can turn this tide.
“Today, as we hand over this report, we affirm our collective commitment to defend the integrity of the Nigerian education system. This report is not just about exposing fraud; it is about charting a new course for transparency, fairness, and meritocracy in admissions,” he said.
The Registrar, JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, while receiving the report, assured the Committee of the implementation of the recommendations, especially the ones that fall within the purview of the board, while promising to forward the report to the Minister of Education, Dr.Maruf Alausa and the National Assembly for action, where necessary.
Professor Oloyede reported a decline in traditional malpractice as only 140 cases were recorded this year. He, however, cautioned that new technology-driven infractions remain a growing threat.
“The most worrying aspect of the infractions is the pre-registration stage, where technology is now used to commit the infractions before the real exam itself.
“Examination malpractice devalues education, cheats hardworking candidates, and produces incompetent professionals, engineers who cannot build, doctors who endanger lives, and graduates unfit to contribute to society,” he said.
According to him, JAMB is pursuing a three-pronged strategy involving sanctions, investment in integrity through technology, and moral education to combat malpractice.
The Registrar commended the committee’s independence, professionalism and working within the six weeks given time frame.
The committee is composed of experts from academia, technology, security, civil society, and law.