In a decisive move to curb the growing menace of ‘miracle centres’ in Nigeria’s education sector, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued new directives aimed at strengthening examination integrity across secondary schools and computer-based test (CBT) centres.
The directive, which was issued on 27 May 2025, followed the instructions of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in line with Sections 5(1)(c)(iv) and 6 of the JAMB Act.
According to a statement signed by Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, any school or CBT centre found guilty of aiding examination malpractice or operating as a miracle centre will be derecognised for a number of years. “The duration will be determined by the examination body,” Benjamin noted.
In addition, the statement explained that if a centre is derecognised by one examination body, other bodies such as WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB should also enforce the same sanction for an equal period. “This will send a very strong signal to operators of these miracle centres,” it stated.
In a further effort to deter malpractice, students involved in examination fraud will be barred from sitting for any national external examinations for three years. This includes exams conducted by WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB, using the National Identification Number (NIN) for tracking.
“This stringent measure will serve as a deterrent to other students and parents,” Benjamin added.
The directive is reinforced by Section 16(2) of the Examination Malpractices Act, which empowers examination bodies to circulate the names of offenders, including candidates, invigilators, and school officials, to other examination bodies for appropriate sanctions.
“This is for the information of the general public, particularly candidates and their parents,” the statement concluded.
Education stakeholders have long decried the role of miracle centres in undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s education system. With this move, JAMB and the Ministry of Education hope to restore trust and integrity in the nation’s examination process.
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