Abuja, Nigeria — Anambra and Lagos States have emerged as the leading hotspots for examination malpractice in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to data released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). A total of 80 suspects are currently under police investigation for various exam-related offences.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the board had uncovered new methods of cheating, including biometric manipulation, impersonation, and collusion with some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.
“These include identity and biometric fraud involving the use of combined thumbprints of candidates and impersonators at registration points, often with the support of certain CBT centres,” Oloyede explained. “There were also cases of double registration and attempts to substitute candidates with impersonators.”
Anambra State recorded the highest number of arrests, with 14 suspects involved in 13 impersonation cases and one case of picture mismatch. Lagos followed closely with nine suspects, arrested for offences ranging from impersonation and spying to illegal possession of mobile phones.
Other states with notable incidents include Delta (8 suspects), Kano (7), Kaduna (6), and Rivers (6). These cases largely involved impersonation and unlawful possession of prohibited items such as mobile phones and calculators during the examination. Ebonyi and Enugu states also reported five arrests each.
In one particularly unusual incident, a blind candidate was found to have hired another visually impaired undergraduate to take the exam on his behalf.
Despite the widespread malpractice, JAMB released the official results of the 2025 UTME on Friday. Out of the 1.9 million candidates who sat for the exam, more than 1.5 million scored below 200 on the 400-point scale—well below the average benchmark.
The UTME tests candidates in four subjects, with the Use of English being compulsory. The remaining three subjects are selected based on each candidate’s chosen course of study.
