UTME 2025: JAMB moves to penalise CBT centres, registrants over biometric irregularities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recommended tough disciplinary measures against 11 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and several registrants found culpable in biometric irregularities during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise.

Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar/Chief Executive, JAMB, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja following a strategic session with stakeholders and a meeting with the affected centres and individuals.

He said the Board is committed to upholding the integrity of its examination processes and has submitted recommendations for sanctions, pending the approval of Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education.

Among the proposals is a three-year suspension for any individual registrant found to have registered more than 50 candidates with fingerprint infractions. Offenders would be barred from participating in any JAMB-related activity, including registering for UTME, and from writing other national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.

“And what that means is that such a person will not participate in any UTME exercise, will not be registered for the UTME even as a student, and will not be allowed to participate in any of the sister examinations, be it WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, and this is to be for three years.

“The suspension is to stay for three years. After three years, the Board will revisit it and look at the issue. If the registrant has shown any remorse, such a suspension could be lifted.

“And others who have registered less than 50 will be warned and they will be required to write a letter of apology to the Board after issuing a bond, indicating that they will not be involved in such a thing again,”

Regarding the implicated CBT centres, JAMB announced that all 11 will be warned and required to sign bonds of good behaviour. Additionally, they must present evidence that their staff have undergone ethical training facilitated by federal universities located within their vicinity.

“The n for CBT centres, all CBT centres involved are to be warned, and then they will be asked to sign a bond. And besides the bond, they will also be required to give evidence of the training of their registrants.

“And that training should be anchored by any of the federal universities within their vicinity. That training should be anchored by the appropriate department of the university within its vicinity.

“We will not allow any of these centres to engage in future UTME activities until they present certificates from federal institutions confirming that their staff have been trained on ethical standards,” Oloyede said through  Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Adviser, JAMB, who read out the recommendations.

For CBT centres owned by the federal government, JAMB will report the infractions to the appropriate authorities for further action.

During the meeting, many of the affected CBT centre operators and registrants admitted to engaging in fingerprint sharing during candidate registration, citing ignorance or pressure to accommodate more students. Several broke down in tears and pleaded for leniency.

Fatai Owoseni, Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, who was present at the meeting, described the offence as criminal and worthy of prosecution. However, he appealed to JAMB to show mercy while ensuring that offenders sign undertakings never to repeat such infractions.

One of the affected centres, Jicoras CBT Centre, represented by Bashir Gumel, said an internal investigation had already commenced and promised to submit the findings to JAMB.

“We are in a catchment area with few CBT centres. While this is our first experience, we acknowledge the wrongdoing and assure the Board it will not happen again,” Gumel said.

The affected centres include: Misau Emirate ICT Centre, Misau, Bauchi State, Ijaw National Academy, Kiama, Bayelsa State, Directorate of ICT, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Gombe State, Emerald IT Academy Limited, Benin City, Edo State, Tigh Technologies, Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja, Jicoras CBT Centre, Babura, Jigawa State, Huntsville Technology Limited, Anthony, Lagos State.

Jolas College CBT Centre, Obalende, Lagos State, Abdul Ocean Weath CBT Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Wase, Plateau State, Consulate Salle D’Examen CBT Centre, Jonny Lane/Navy Barrack, Agip Estate, Rivers State.

JAMB reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice and urged all stakeholders to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity in Nigeria’s education system.