Pecohub The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a criminal network using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to impersonate its officials and defraud desperate candidates.
The examination body also disclosed that it is set to sack three senior officials allegedly involved in selling illegal access to the Board’s examination portal in the build-up to the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, states this at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.
Describing the development as a serious assault on merit and fairness in Nigeria’s education system, he said while the masterminds have been arrested, over 100 candidates are involved, cutting across 25 states of the Federation.
The JAMB boss said the Board has already recommended to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa that the registration of the 100 candidates be cancelled to serve as deterrent to others.
“This briefing addresses a grave development that strikes at the heart of fairness, merit and integrity,” Oloyede said. “We have invested heavily to protect honest candidates, but criminal networks and willing collaborators continue to test the system.”
He also raised the alarm that parents are willing collaborators in the unfolding examination malpractice schemes, noting that some knowingly finance fraudulent arrangements in a bid to secure admission for their children at all costs.
He disclosed that although roughly 38,000 underage candidates signed up for this year’s exercise, a growing number of applicants are either being preyed upon or lured into organised examination malpractice rings.
Also, he revealed that three proprietors are currently in custody for allegedly aiding candidates in circumventing established registration and testing procedures.
While dismissing claims of increased registration fees, JAMB confirmed that several Computer-Based Test,CBT centres and tutorial operators implicated in fraudulent activities have been suspended or arrested.
According to him, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, Office of the National Security Adviser are supporting ongoing investigations.
Oloyede maintained that the Board possesses the technical and institutional capacity to curb examination malpractice but lamented that enforcement actions often attract public criticism.
“Our only challenge is public opinion. When we act, some label us draconian,” he said.
