JAMB to sanction 11 CBT centres over biometric fraud

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced plans to penalise 11 Computer-Based Test, CBT, centres and several candidates for fingerprint infractions during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, registration.

The Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this after a meeting with stakeholders and affected centres on Tuesday in Abuja. He said the proposed sanctions, pending approval from the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, aim to protect the integrity of the examination process.

Oloyede stated that candidates who registered more than 50 others using false fingerprints would be barred from future UTME exercises, including WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB, for three years. They would also be disqualified from participating as candidates or facilitators in JAMB-related activities.

“For those who registered fewer than 50 candidates, they will be required to write letters of apology and sign bonds not to engage in such practices again,” Oloyede said through JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.

The board also mandated all affected CBT centres to present proof of staff training in ethical standards, to be conducted by federal universities within their vicinity, before they can be re-engaged.

Oloyede stressed that ignorance would no longer be accepted as an excuse, and all erring CBT centres must submit letters from federal institutions certifying staff training.

Most of the affected candidates and centre operators reportedly admitted to their roles, attributing the actions to ignorance or pressure to meet registration demands.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, a stakeholder at the meeting, suggested that the infractions merited prosecution, but appealed for leniency and corrective measures.

One of the implicated centres, Jicoras CBT Centre in Jigawa State, said it had begun internal investigations and pledged to share its findings with JAMB.

The 11 affected centres are:

• Misau Emirate ICT Centre, Bauchi

• Ijaw National Academy, Bayelsa

• Directorate of ICT, Nigerian Army University, Gombe

• Emerald IT Academy, Edo

• Tigh Technologies, Abuja

• Jicoras CBT Centre, Jigawa

• Huntsville Technology Ltd, Lagos

• Jolas College CBT Centre, Lagos

• Abdul Ocean Wealth CBT Centre, Ibadan

• NOUN Wase Centre, Plateau

• Consulate Salle D’Examen CBT Centre, Rivers