Underage Candidates and Complicit Parents Targeted in JAMB Anti-Fraud Drive

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned the general public to be cautious of centres associated with fraud. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the JAMB boss, Ishaq Oloyede, described the situation as frustrating, disheartening, and prohibited. He described the situation as a "strike at the heart of fairness, merit and Integrity in the Nigerian educational system."

During the briefing, the JAMB boss disclosed that it has come to the notice of the board that certain individuals are disguising themselves as JAMB officials to defraud parents and students. He reiterated that both victims and suspect criminals would not be spared if caught. He said, 

“Over the years, the Board has invested heavily — financially, technologically and institutionally — to safeguard the credibility of UTME.
“These efforts are not optional. They are necessary to protect millions of honest candidates whose only crime is believing that hard work still matters.”

Prof. Oloyede also emphasized that many CBT centres are extorting money from candidates, adding that such centres should be reported once discovered. He promised that offenders would be punished accordingly.

“Two or three of them, we have brought them this morning, and we have suspended their participation.”

The JAMB boss also noted that although artificial intelligence has aided and improved efficiency, many misuse it for scams, spreading false information, and even impersonation. He mentioned that some criminals use artificial intelligence (AI) to disguise themselves as JAMB officials to collect money from both parents and candidates. He also added that some parents and students still patronize these individuals even when they know they are not JAMB officials. He said, 

“What is important for us to emphasise here is that the students themselves and their parents are willing collaborators and cannot be regarded as innocent".

“All those who subscribed, who paid to be assisted — we are making appropriate recommendations to the authorities, particularly to the Minister of Education, so that we can cancel all the registrations.”

The Registrar strictly warned against citizens patronizing these criminals. In his statement, he said,

“Let it be clearly understood by all Nigerians that paying for examination fraud is a crime. Receiving illegal assistance is a punishable offence. Being a willing member of a WhatsApp group where these fake services are offered will no longer be condoned. Ignorance will not be accepted as a defence.”

He also advised parents who are indirectly corrupting their children to always train them to be hardworking, disciplined, and maintain integrity. He emphasized that parents should guide their children to do what is right at all times and discourage malpractice while encouraging hard work. He said,

“Parents must understand that paying for fraud does not secure a child’s future. It destroys it. You are teaching them that cheating is a strategy, that deception is acceptable, and that merit is optional.”

During the press briefing, the Registrar expressed strong disapproval of all the fraudulent acts taking place. In order to curb the situation, he noted that the Board is working tirelessly to bring culprits found guilty of fraud to justice, mentioning that some proprietors had already been apprehended. This, he said, was a result of new security measures implemented by JAMB to address the issue.

“I want to thank the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Directorate of State Services, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their cooperation".

“We are trying our best to make sure that whatever it is, we give support to the security agencies where required to get to the root of the matter".

“As for capacity, we have the capacity to deal with all these issues. If we did not have the capacity, we would not be able to stay ahead of them. As they are planning, we are planning.”

He further noted,
“Look at the high number of underage candidates. A large number of them are now involved in soliciting assistance and paying — their parents paying for these services.”

He maintained that JAMB’s mandate was limited to conducting examinations, not moral instruction. He concluded with an appeal to the media:

“We are appealing to the press to please assist us in making sure that they appeal to parents. Let us go with the right method of doing things. Do not let parents introduce their children to crime.”

Prof. Oloyede emphasized that parents have a greater role in training their children. He encouraged parents to raise their children uprightly so they can become responsible adults in society. He advised parents to desist from corrupting or negatively influencing their children.

“Look at the high number of underage candidates. A large number of them are now involved in soliciting assistance and paying — their parents paying for these services".

“We are appealing to the press to please assist us in making sure that they appeal to parents. Let us go with the right method of doing things. Do not let parents introduce their children to crime," he added.