JAMB exam malpractice linked to parents, who account for 80% of fraud cases, says committee chair Jake Epelle in 2025 UTME report

JAMB exam malpractice is being driven largely by parents, who are responsible for 80 percent of fraudulent activities in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions.

Also read: JAMB Flags Fake Admissions in 20 Tertiary Institutions Nationwide

The committee’s chairman, Jake Epelle, made the disclosure on Channels Television’s Politics Today after submitting the report to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, in Abuja on Monday.

“Eighty per cent of these infractions are caused by parents who want to give marks to their children that they don’t deserve,” Epelle said.

The report detailed a troubling rise in sophisticated cheating methods, including:

4,251 cases of *finger blending
190 instances of AI-assisted impersonation using image morphing
1,878 false disability claims
Forged credentials and multiple NIN registrations
Collusion involving candidates, tutorial centres, and organised syndicates.

Epelle warned that advanced technology is increasingly being weaponised to undermine exam integrity. “This is the age of AI, and what is going on is that JAMB rolls out a state-of-the-art technology; there are people behind the scene and these are smart young Nigerians.

The system is robust, but there is a consistent conspiracy to undermine the system,” he explained.

He also called for investment in “homegrown adaptive technology” designed for Nigeria’s unique security challenges.

Also read: JAMB Spends ₦113.8m on Foreign UTME Supervision Across 7 Countries

Despite the surge in malpractice, Epelle assured candidates and the public that JAMB, under Prof. Oloyede’s leadership, remains committed to upholding credibility and will not condone fraudulent practices.