The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a sophisticated, artificial intelligence-driven exam fraud syndicate and is set to cancel the registrations of over 100 candidates involved in the scheme.
JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this in Abuja, describing the development as a serious threat to fairness and integrity in Nigeria’s education system. He warned that parents who sponsor such malpractice risk harming their children’s futures.
Oloyede explained that the syndicate used AI to impersonate senior officials, create fake images and identities, forge identification cards, and falsely claim associations with government authorities to solicit payments from candidates and parents.
Over 100 candidates across 25 states were implicated, with at least 83 confirmed to have paid for the illicit services. “This is not peculiar to any region; it is evenly distributed across the country,” he said.
He stressed that students and parents involved were willing participants. “All those who subscribed and paid for assistance will have their registrations canceled,” Oloyede added, noting that recommendations have been submitted to the Minister of Education.
The registrar also rejected claims of increased registration fees, calling them politically motivated, and urged the public to report centres charging above the approved rates. Some computer-based test centres have already been suspended for violations.
Oloyede dismissed suggestions for negotiating with errant centres, emphasizing that criminals cannot be negotiated with. He also criticized some tutorial and remedial centres, often operating from uncompleted buildings or market spaces, for facilitating malpractice.
He expressed concern over the involvement of underage candidates, attributing this to parental pressure and misplaced confidence. JAMB plans to collaborate more closely with the National Orientation Agency and security agencies to tackle both the moral and social dimensions of the issue.
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