With 16 April fast approaching and over 2.2 million candidates registered for this year’s examination, JAMB has made its position on malpractice unmistakably clear: cheat, and you will be caught.
JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede issued the warning at a press briefing, confirming that the Board’s systems can now detect, monitor and prosecute examination fraud in real time. He disclosed that over five candidates who sat the 2025 UTME have already faced prosecution for various offences, a reminder that JAMB’s warnings are not ceremonial. “There is no shortcut to success; the only path is through hard work. Candidates must focus on their preparation and avoid dishonest practices that could permanently damage their academic prospects,” he said, adding that the Board will not entertain any appeals for leniency once an offence is established.
A specific concern raised by the Registrar is the growing number of fraudsters, operating largely online, who claim to have methods of inflating UTME scores. Oloyede warned that any candidate who engages with such individuals risks having their registration cancelled or their results withdrawn entirely. “These activities are criminal, and those involved will be prosecuted,” he said. Parents, guardians and school authorities were also urged to actively steer candidates away from these schemes.
On eligibility, the Registrar reminded candidates that a valid UTME entry requires possession of the West African Senior School Certificate from WAEC or its equivalent from NECO. He stressed that there is no alternative path to admission into universities, polytechnics, monotechnics or colleges of education, and that academic preparation remains the only strategy that delivers lasting results.
“The future of thousands of young Nigerians depends on the integrity of this examination. JAMB is committed to ensuring that all candidates are assessed fairly based on merit and knowledge,” he said.
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