…Blacklisting for CBT Centres Involved in Irregularities, Malpractices—JAMB
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit conducted for candidates affected by technical glitches during the initial exam.
A total of 315,763 candidates sat for the rescheduled examination, following JAMB’s acknowledgment of system failures that compromised the earlier session. The board stated that of the 336,845 candidates who were scheduled for the resit—including those from centres later disqualified—21,082 were absent.
In a statement issued on Sunday, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that the release of results followed a comprehensive review by the Board’s Chief External Examiners (CEEs) during a high-level meeting.
The CEEs’ meeting, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria and CEE for the FCT, Prof. Olufemi Peters, also engaged the expertise of psychometrics professor, Boniface Nworgu, to validate the integrity of the results before release.
The statement also revealed that the Board had identified a disturbing trend of malpractices and fraudulent behaviour involving some candidates, school proprietors, tutorial centres, and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Key decisions from the meeting include:
Underage Candidates: Results of underage candidates, previously withheld, are being released as part of a reconciliatory gesture. However, such candidates remain ineligible for admission as they had earlier signed undertakings confirming their awareness of the minimum age and academic requirements.
Candidates Involved in Exam Malpractices: Some candidates were found to have participated in “WhatsApp runs” and other unethical practices. JAMB emphasized that while their results are released, the move does not legitimize their actions and serves only as a one-time waiver. Future misconduct will attract severe sanctions.
Blacklisting of CBT Centres: All CBT centres found complicit in registration and examination fraud will be blacklisted. Owners may face prosecution. Individuals involved in altering candidates’ biometric data and photographs are also being tracked for arrest and legal action.
Regulation of Tutorial Centres: The Board raised concern over the growing influence of unregulated tutorial centres in promoting examination malpractice. It called on federal and state governments to license and monitor such institutions more effectively.
Mop-Up Exam for Absentees: Candidates who missed the resit or original UTME for any reason will be allowed to participate in JAMB’s annual mop-up exam as a final opportunity.
While acknowledging the contribution of CBT to reducing exam malpractice, the board also noted gaps in the accreditation process for CBT centres. It recommended the engagement of a reputable management consulting firm to enhance operational procedures, including accreditation and registration systems.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, integrity, and the continuous reform of Nigeria’s examination and admission processes.
