Anambra, Lagos Lead in 2025 UTME Exam Malpractice – JAMB

 

Anambra and Lagos states have topped the list for examination malpractice in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

JAMB revealed that 80 suspects are currently being interrogated by the police across the country. Out of that number, Anambra alone is responsible for 14 suspects, with 13 arrested for impersonation and one for a picture mismatch. Lagos follows closely with nine suspects, mostly for impersonation, spying, and being caught with mobile phones.

Speaking during a press briefing at JAMB's headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the board’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, shared more insights into how these malpractices were carried out. According to him:

“We have detected new and more sophisticated methods of cheating, not just during the exam, but also during the registration process.”

He explained that the new tactics include identity and biometric fraud, where candidates and impersonators used combined thumbprints to register. In many cases, this was made possible with the help of corrupt Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. There were also instances of double registrations and candidates trying to substitute themselves with someone else.

Other states also recorded arrests:

• Delta State – 8 suspects, all for impersonation

• Kano State – 7 suspects, linked to impersonation and illegal possession of mobile phones

• Kaduna State – 6 suspects, similar offences

• Rivers State – 6 suspects, caught with phones, calculators, and for impersonation

• Ebonyi and Enugu States – 5 impersonation cases each

In one shocking case, a blind candidate allegedly paid another blind man, who is already a university student, to write the exam on his behalf.

Meanwhile, the 2025 UTME results were released on Friday. JAMB reported that out of 1.9 million candidates who sat for the exam, over 1.5 million scored below 200 marks — the average benchmark. The UTME is scored out of 400 and tests candidates in four core subjects, including Use of English, which is compulsory. The other three subjects depend on the candidate’s chosen course of study.