JAMB busts AI-Powered exam scam targeting UTME candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cracked down on a high-tech scam leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to target Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the examination process.

Is-haq Oloyede, the registrar at JAMB, made this known recently when he warned that candidates and parents involved in the scheme would face severe consequences.

The JAMB registrar revealed that three top officials of the board collaborated with the fraudsters in sabotaging the system and have been recommended for dismissal.

Besides, he said that two other officials and a member of staff of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, are currently undergoing criminal prosecution for involvement in activities inimical to the integrity of the examination body.

Oloyede explained that investigations by the board revealed that more than 100 candidates were linked to the scheme, with 83 confirmed to have made payments to the syndicates.

He emphasised that those involved cut across 25 states with three school proprietors in custody for aiding and abetting examination malpractice.

Moreover, he said the board had made recommendations to the minister of education for the cancellation of the affected registrations.
“What is important for us to emphasise here is that the students themselves and their parents are willing collaborators and cannot be regarded as innocent,” he said.

The registrar further expressed worries about the involvement of underage candidates, noting that about 38,000 underage candidates have registered for the 2026 UTME.

He revealed that many of the candidates who patronised the syndicates are underage, being pushed by their parents beyond their academic capacity.

“Parents must understand that paying for fraud does not secure a child’s future. It destroys it. You are teaching them that cheating is a strategy, that deception is acceptable, and that merit is optional,” he said.

Oloyede kicked against the suggestions that JAMB should negotiate with suspects, including some who allegedly fled the country after last year’s examination. Besides, he said that some computer-based test (CBT) centres had already been sanctioned.

“Let it be clearly understood by all Nigerians that paying for examination fraud is a crime. Receiving illegal assistance is a punishable offence.
“Being a willing member of a WhatsApp group where these fake services are offered will no longer be condoned. Ignorance will not be accepted as a defence,” he said.

Oloyede disclosed that JAMB is working with security agencies to tackle the fraud schemes, and applauded the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Services, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their support.

“As for capacity, we have the capacity to deal with all these issues. If we did not have the capacity, we would not be able to stay ahead of them. As they are planning, we are planning,” he said.