JAMB Shocker: Anambra, Lagos Lead 2025 UTME Malpractice Surge As New Fraud Tactics Emerge

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that Anambra and Lagos States lead in the number of individuals apprehended for involvement in malpractice during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that 80 suspects are currently under investigation by law enforcement for a range of exam-related offenses.

He highlighted the emergence of more advanced cheating techniques during both the registration and examination phases.

“These include identity theft, manipulation of biometric data, the use of combined thumbprints from candidates and impostors at registration centers, dual registrations, and attempts to switch candidate identities,” Oloyede explained.

Anambra topped the chart with 14 arrests—13 for impersonation and one for using a mismatched photograph. Lagos followed closely with nine suspects, accused of impersonation, spying, and unauthorized phone possession.

Other states with notable arrests include:

• Delta – 8 suspects (impersonation)

• Kano – 7 suspects (impersonation and mobile phone possession)

• Kaduna – 6 suspects (impersonation and mobile phone possession)

• Rivers – 6 suspects (impersonation, mobile phones, calculators)

• Ebonyi and Enugu – 5 suspects each (impersonation)

In a particularly unusual incident, the Registrar recounted how a visually impaired candidate recruited another blind undergraduate to take the exam on his behalf.

“These emerging forms of malpractice demand a unified and proactive approach, especially from CBT centres and parents,” Oloyede stressed.

It is worth noting that JAMB had earlier released the 2025 UTME results, showing that over 1.5 million of the 1.9 million candidates scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks.

Each candidate was tested in four subjects, with English Language being mandatory alongside three subjects relevant to their intended course of study.