Biometric scams, AI impersonation, and digital fraud are on the rise
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is raising the alarm over a wave of sophisticated, tech-driven exam malpractice threatening the credibility of Nigeria’s university admissions system.
At the heart of the issue: AI-assisted impersonation, biometric fraud, and organised cheating networks.
The revelations came as JAMB’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI) submitted its 2025 report to Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede on Monday in Abuja.
4,251 “finger blending” cases and AI morphing scams
Dr. Jake Epelle, who chaired the SCEI, reported that investigators uncovered:
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4,251 cases of finger blending (biometric manipulation for impersonation)
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190 instances of AI-assisted impersonation using image morphing
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1,878 false disability claims
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Multiple fake NIN registrations
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Forged documents and widespread collusion with tutorial centres and CBT centres
“This is no longer just malpractice—it’s an industrial-scale fraud operation,” Epelle said. “What we’re seeing is a system under siege.”
Parents, schools, and CBT centres involved
The committee didn’t spare any group. It found that parents, schools, private tutorial centres, and even some accredited CBT operators were complicit. Weak laws and poor enforcement have allowed the problem to fester.
“This is not just a technical glitch—it’s a moral crisis,” Epelle warned.
What JAMB plans to do about it
To fight back, the committee has proposed a multi-layered strategy:
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AI tools for detecting biometric anomalies
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Real-time exam monitoring via a new Examination Security Operations Centre
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Stricter sanctions including result cancellation, bans, and criminal prosecution
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A Central Sanctions Registry for tracking offenders
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Digitised processes to reduce loopholes in candidate data correction
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Stronger verification for disability claims
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Legal reforms, including updates to the JAMB and Exam Malpractice Acts
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A Legal Unit within JAMB to prosecute digital and biometric fraud
For under-18 offenders: rehab over punishment
Recognizing that many culprits are still minors, the committee recommends rehabilitative approaches for under-18 candidates—counseling, education, and supervised reintegration—under the Child Rights Act, instead of harsh penalties.
Restoring merit and public trust
The committee also emphasized value-based reforms, including:
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Launching a nationwide “Integrity First” campaign
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Embedding ethics in school curricula
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Holding parents accountable for aiding or abetting fraud
Epelle stressed the urgency: “If we don’t fix this now, we risk a complete collapse of trust in our education system.”
