JAMB examination fraud crackdown intensifies as Registrar Ishaq Oloyede warns candidates and parents of severe penalties
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has issued a strong warning to candidates and parents involved in examination malpractice, declaring that the Board will impose severe sanctions as part of an intensified JAMB examination fraud crackdown.
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Professor Ishaq Oloyede spoke on Saturday while addressing journalists in Abuja, stating that the briefing was convened to confront what he described as a grave threat undermining fairness, merit and integrity within Nigeria’s education system.
The registrar disclosed that recent investigations uncovered organised criminal syndicates deploying artificial intelligence tools to impersonate JAMB officials and defraud candidates seeking illicit assistance during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination process.
According to Professor Ishaq Oloyede, more than 100 candidates across 25 states have been implicated, with 83 already confirmed to have made payments for fraudulent services. He stressed that both candidates and parents involved could not be considered innocent parties.
He revealed that recommendations had been forwarded to the Minister of Education seeking the cancellation of registrations linked to the malpractice.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede dismissed claims circulating online that JAMB had increased registration fees, describing the allegation as entirely false and urging the public to report any centre charging above the approved rate.
The registrar further confirmed that several Computer-Based Test centres had already faced sanctions, with some suspended from participating in the ongoing examination process following verified infractions.
Rejecting suggestions that the Board should negotiate with offenders, he insisted that examination fraud constitutes criminal conduct requiring law enforcement action rather than compromise.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede disclosed that some suspects who fled Nigeria after previous examination cycles had begun seeking negotiations, adding that such individuals would instead be referred to security agencies for investigation.
He warned that participation in fraudulent schemes, including membership of online groups offering illegal examination assistance, would attract strict penalties, emphasising that ignorance would no longer be accepted as a defence.
In a pointed message to parents and guardians, the registrar said financial support for examination fraud ultimately damages children’s futures by normalising dishonesty and weakening academic standards.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede also raised concern over the involvement of underage candidates and confirmed that some school proprietors had been arrested in connection with ongoing investigations.
He commended collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Directorate of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, noting that strengthened partnerships have enhanced enforcement capacity.
The registrar added that JAMB has upgraded its technological systems to detect prohibited electronic devices during examinations, describing the Board’s monitoring capability as robust and proactive.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration commenced on January 26 and concluded at accredited centres on February 28, with more than 1.5 million candidates already registered as of mid-February.
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Professor Ishaq Oloyede concluded by appealing to media organisations to support public awareness efforts aimed at discouraging malpractice and promoting ethical participation in national examinations.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
