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AI Emerges as New Threat to Exam Integrity
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a sophisticated examination fraud syndicate leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate officials and defraud candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
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The development highlights a growing and dangerous shift in examination malpractice—from traditional cheating to technology-enabled fraud, raising fresh concerns about digital ethics, identity theft, and trust in Nigeria’s education system.
AI Used for Impersonation and Digital Deception
Speaking in Abuja, JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede revealed that criminal networks deployed AI tools to create fake identities, images, and digital profiles of senior JAMB officials to solicit payments from candidates and parents.
According to him, the syndicates forged identification cards, claimed false affiliations with government officials, and used AI-generated visuals to appear credible—marking a new level of sophistication in exam malpractice.
Over 100 Candidates Face Registration Cancellation
JAMB disclosed that more than 100 candidates across 25 states were implicated in the AI-enabled fraud scheme, with at least 83 confirmed to have paid for illicit assistance.
Oloyede warned that the board was finalising recommendations to the Minister of Education to cancel the registrations of all candidates involved, stressing that both students and parents were willing collaborators.
“They cannot be regarded as innocent. Parents who bankroll this are jeopardising their children’s future,” he said.
Protecting UTME Credibility in the Digital Age
The registrar noted that JAMB had invested heavily—financially, technologically, and institutionally—to safeguard the credibility of the UTME, which millions of candidates rely on annually.
However, he said the misuse of AI underscored the urgent need for stronger digital governance, public awareness, and ethical use of emerging technologies, especially as AI becomes more accessible.
Crackdown on Errant Centres and False Fee Claims
Oloyede dismissed claims that JAMB had increased registration fees, describing them as false and politically motivated. He urged candidates to report any computer-based test (CBT) centres charging above approved rates, noting that several centres had already been suspended.
He also rejected calls to negotiate or license erring centres, insisting that criminal practices cannot be legitimised.
Tutorial Centres, Underage Candidates Raise Alarm
The JAMB boss expressed concern over the role of some unregulated tutorial and remedial centres—often operating from incomplete buildings or market spaces—in facilitating malpractice.
He also highlighted the worrying involvement of underage candidates, attributing it to parental pressure and misplaced confidence in early examination attempts.
Collaboration with Orientation and Security Agencies
To tackle both the technical and moral dimensions of the problem, JAMB said it would deepen collaboration with the National Orientation Agency and security agencies.
Oloyede stressed that combating AI-driven exam fraud requires not just enforcement, but a national reorientation on values, merit, and responsible technology use.
