Nigeria’s education system is reeling after this weekend’s shocking revelation that 86,000 of 98,232 registered candidates boycotted the mop-up UTME examinations. The mass absenteeism has exposed what authorities describe as a sophisticated nationwide cheating syndicate, prompting a major crackdown on examination malpractice.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) confirmed the stunning 88% no-show rate, which officials say proves their long-held suspicions about systemic fraud in the university entrance exams. Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede revealed this was no ordinary exam failure, but rather the result of a carefully orchestrated sting operation.
“We deliberately expanded the mop-up list to flush out fraudsters,” Oloyede told reporters in Abuja. “The near-total boycott confirms our intelligence about widespread impersonation and organized cheating networks.”
Security agencies are now tracking down the missing candidates through their National Identification Numbers (NIN) and registration details. Early investigations have uncovered alarming new cheating methods, including:
- The Albino Scam: Over 1,700 candidates falsely claimed albinism status to bypass facial recognition, with one center reporting 450 alleged albinos out of 1,000 examinees. Several dark-skinned “albinos” have already been arrested.
- AI-Powered Fraud: Criminal networks are using advanced photo-blending technology to create composite images that fool biometric verification systems.
- Institutional Complicity: At least 14 Direct Entry candidates have been caught with forged certificates, while some tertiary institutions stand accused of issuing backdated qualifications, including to medical graduates.
The scandal has triggered nationwide arrests, with security agencies targeting tutorial center operators, school proprietors, and even parents suspected of financing cheating rings. Three private schools have had their accreditations suspended pending investigations.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman has ordered a complete forensic audit of all 2025 UTME results and promised sweeping reforms to examination security protocols. “We’re dealing with criminal enterprises, not just exam cheats,” Mamman warned during an emergency meeting with university vice-chancellors.
As the scandal unfolds, JAMB has delayed release of the mop-up results to allow for thorough fraud screening. The board is working with the EFCC and DSS to prosecute offenders, with the first cases expected to reach court next week.
The revelations have sparked outrage among education stakeholders, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) calling for immediate reforms to restore credibility to Nigeria’s university admission system. Meanwhile, security experts warn the sophisticated cheating methods uncovered could represent just the tip of the iceberg in examination malpractice across West Africa.