The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Anambra and Imo states as having the highest number of malpractice incidents during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

During its 2025 policy meeting held on Tuesday, JAMB disclosed that 19 CBT centres across the country were involved in fingerprint-related malpractices. Anambra State recorded the highest number with six centres, followed by Imo with four. Other states with at least one implicated centre include Abia, Edo, Kano, Ebonyi, Delta, Kaduna, Rivers, and Enugu.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, noted that some impersonators used albinos to manipulate biometric image recognition systems and attempted remote uploads of data as part of their tactics.

At the same meeting, JAMB also announced the top scorers in the 2025 UTME. Okeke Chinedu Christian from Anambra State emerged as the highest scorer with 375 out of a maximum 400. He selected the University of Lagos as his first choice to study Mechanical Engineering.

He was followed by Ayuba Simon-Peter John from Gombe State, who scored 374. Ayuba chose Afe Babalola University as his first-choice institution, also for Mechanical Engineering.

The third-highest scorer, Jimoh Abdulmalik Olayinka from Kwara State, scored 373 and selected the University of Lagos to study the same course. All top three candidates are male and listed Mechanical Engineering as their preferred field of study.

In a related development, two individuals have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina over alleged impersonation during the UTME. According to the police prosecutor, Abdussalam Danmaidaki, Bolanwu Emmanuel allegedly invited Ibrahim Abdulaziz to sit for the exam on his behalf at Zee Alpha International School, Funtua, on April 30.

Danmaidaki said the offence violated sections 4(2)(a), 4(2)(b), and 4(3)(c) of the Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Abdulaziz was said to have written the examination under Emmanuel?s name using registration number 2025515278JA.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Justice Hussaini Dadan-Garba adjourned the case to July 18 for the commencement of trial and presentation of prosecution witnesses. (The Guardian)

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