The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recently conducted a mop-up exam for candidates who missed the main Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, the turnout was surprisingly low, with over 85,000 candidates failing to show up.
Why Did So Many Candidates Stay Away?
According to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, many candidates absented themselves from the main UTME without good reasons. JAMB suspected that some of these absences were linked to exam malpractice and impersonation.
JAMB’s Strategy to Catch Cheats
JAMB allowed all these candidates to take the mop-up exam as a trap to catch people involved in cheating. The goal was to identify and punish those who cheated during the main exam.
Fake Albinos and Blended Faces
JAMB discovered that some candidates were pretending to be albinos to avoid being identified by the facial recognition software. Others used picture blending technology to confuse the system.
Parents and Schools Also to Be Punished
Prof. Oloyede said some parents and school owners were part of the cheating plan. JAMB will trace and punish everyone involved, including parents who funded this fraud.
Mop-Up Exam Results on Hold
Due to the irregularities, JAMB may delay releasing the mop-up results until Monday, June 30, 2025. This is to give them enough time to investigate and remove fraudulent candidates from the system.
14 Direct Entry Candidates Caught With Fake Certificates
JAMB also caught 14 candidates applying through Direct Entry (DE) with fake certificates. These candidates were supposed to have valid qualifications like NCE or Diploma before applying for university admission.
Fixing Results After Graduation? Not Acceptable
Prof. Oloyede said students who try to go back and fix their results after already graduating will not be allowed. “You can’t become an engineer and then seek to get a credit in Maths later. It doesn’t work that way,” he said.
JAMB’s Stand: No More Cheating
JAMB has made it clear that there will be no more room for exam malpractice. The exam body is using advanced technology, working with security agencies, and looking into school records to ensure that only the right candidates gain university admission.
Conclusion
The UTME mop-up exam has highlighted the issue of exam malpractice and impersonation in Nigeria. JAMB’s efforts to catch cheats and punish those involved are a step in the right direction. We must support a clean, honest, and fair education system where students can succeed through hard work and integrity.
What Can Students Learn?
This situation is a big lesson for all students in Nigeria and beyond. Hard work is the only way to succeed, and cheating will only bring shame and trouble. Technology is catching up, and it’s now harder than ever to beat the system. Be honest and focus on building your skills and knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Let’s all support a clean, honest, and fair education system where students can succeed through hard work and integrity. Nigeria’s future depends on it. We must work together to ensure that our education system is free from malpractice and that our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.