By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has proposed strict sanctions against 11 computer-based test (CBT) centres and their registrants implicated in fingerprint irregularities during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed the recommendations in Abuja following a stakeholders’ session and a meeting with the affected CBT centres and candidates.
According to Oloyede, the proposed measures, pending approval by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, aim to uphold the integrity of the Board’s examination processes.
Among the key proposals, any registrant found to have facilitated the registration of more than 50 candidates with fingerprint infractions would be barred from participating in any JAMB-related activities for three years. This includes being disqualified from writing the UTME or other related examinations such as WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB.
Oloyede stated through JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin: “After three years, if remorse is shown, the Board may revisit the sanction,”
Registrants involved with fewer than 50 candidates are to be issued warnings and required to submit letters of apology alongside a written bond of non-recurrence.
All implicated CBT centres will be required to sign bonds of good conduct and present proof of staff retraining from federal universities within their vicinity.
Oloyede emphasized that the Board would no longer accept ignorance as a defense and will not engage with any centre that fails to present a training certificate from a recognized institution.
“Reports on centres owned by the federal government will be forwarded to the respective authorities,” he added.
During the meeting, some affected registrants and centre operators admitted to engaging in fingerprint manipulation, attributing it to ignorance or a desire to increase registration numbers. Many of them reportedly pleaded for leniency.
Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who participated in the meeting, described the offences as prosecutable but urged the Board to consider forgiveness, conditional on written undertakings.
Bashir Gumel, an official of Jicoras CBT Centre, one of the implicated centres, stated that internal investigations have begun and pledged to share outcomes with JAMB.
The centres under investigation include: Misau Emirate ICT Centre, 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 and Huntsville Technology Limited, Anthony, Lagos State
Jolas College CBT Centre, Obalende, Lagos State, Abdul Ocean Wealth CBT Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, National Open University of Nigeria CBT Centre, Wase, Plateau State and Consulate Salle D’Examen CBT Centre, Agip Estate, Rivers State, are also part of the accused centers.
The Board reiterated its commitment to fair and credible examinations and warned that future violations would not be tolerated.
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