JAMB has reported the arrest of a father who was caught writing exams on behalf of his son in the ongoing UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination).
The board has emphasized that it has enhanced its technology for detecting all forms of exam malpractice.
During an inspection of UTME centers in Kaduna, the JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the 2024 examination, which saw 1.94 million candidates participating.
He noted with concern the instances of impersonation, mentioning the problem of individuals possessing multiple National Identity Numbers (NIN), which undermines the identity verification process. JAMB intends to address this issue with the National Identification Management Commission.
“Those who attempt to cheat should be aware that it is not a fruitful endeavor. Our technological measures are instrumental in detecting such misconduct. Impersonation remains a significant challenge nationwide. We’ve identified cases of individuals possessing two NINs, compromising the verification process. We will engage with NIMC regarding this issue,” Prof Oloyede stated.
Regarding a specific incident, he recounted, “There was a case where a father posed as his son to take the exam. One has to wonder, what explanation will the father give to his son now that they are both in custody together. This incident did not occur in Kaduna, but I prefer not to disclose the state.”
JAMB is seeking assistance from densely populated states like Lagos to establish mega CBT (Computer-Based Test) centers similar to the one in Kaduna, which can accommodate 4,000 candidates daily.
He expressed optimism that the authorities in Lagos would allocate suitable land for the construction of a Mega CBT center in the city.