By VERONICA DARIYA

The Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI) has warned that if exam malpractice remains unchecked, it could erode public trust and destroy Nigeria’s education and human capital foundation.

Dr Jake Epelle, the committee’s chairman, gave this warning while submitting its findings and recommendations to the Registrar of JAMB at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, on Monday.

Epelle stated that exam malpractice in Nigeria had evolved into a highly organised, tech-driven, and culturally accepted practice, increasingly seen by students as a shortcut to academic and career success.

Presenting the report, he said the committee was inaugurated on Aug. 18 and tasked with investigating and recommending solutions to tackle technology-enabled malpractice during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The committee also reviewed registration policies and examined the tools, patterns, methods, and technologies used to perpetrate such fraud across different stages of the examination process.

He disclosed that the team documented 4,251 cases of finger blending, 190 AI-assisted image morphing cases, 1,878 false albinism claims, and numerous instances of multiple NIN registrations and credential forgery.

“This fraud is not limited to candidates alone. It is driven by criminal syndicates involving CBT centres, schools, parents, tutorial centres, and tech accomplices,” Epelle said.

He lamented that existing laws were inadequate to address biometric and digital exam fraud, and said confidence in Nigeria’s examination process was deteriorating at an alarming and dangerous rate.

“Worst of all, malpractice has become culturally normalised and accepted by many as a legitimate shortcut to success, rather than an unethical and criminal Act,” Epelle added.

To restore trust in the admission system, he said the committee recommended a multi-layered approach focusing on detection, deterrence, and prevention of exam malpractice at all stages of the process.

“Other proposals include legal reforms to amend the JAMB Act and Examination Malpractice Act to include biometric fraud, and the creation of a dedicated Legal Unit within JAMB.

“The committee also proposed a national “Integrity First” campaign, ethical education in school curricula, and stricter parental accountability for candidates involved in examination fraud.

“For candidates under 18, we recommend rehabilitative measures under the Child Rights Act, including counseling and supervised re-registration,” Epelle said.

Epelle further warned that failure to act could damage Nigeria’s future by destroying merit, weakening institutions, and permanently damaging the credibility of the nation’s education system.

However, he expressed hope that with bold reforms, innovation, ethical reorientation, and strict enforcement, Nigeria could overcome the threat of exam malpractice and restore system integrity.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the board would implement all recommendations within its authority and forward others to relevant institutions such as the Education Ministry and National Assembly.

He noted that while direct malpractice during exams had declined in 2025, fraud during the registration phase had significantly increased due to evolving technology and sophisticated planning.

“We are now dealing with planned infractions during registration.

“This is a new trend, and we have never experienced malpractice on this scale before.

“That is why we brought in professionals from diverse fields to investigate.

“JAMB will implement feasible recommendations and refer the rest to the appropriate bodies,” Oloyede added. (NAN)