UTME 2025: Unmasking High-Tech Malpractice and AI Cheats in Nigeria’s Top Entrance Exam
The integrity of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations has been significantly challenged, as shocking revelations emerge from the just-concluded UTME 2025. Dr. Jake Epelle, Chairman of JAMB’s Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI), recently exposed the alarming scale of high-tech malpractices orchestrated by students. This includes the discovery of 192 cases involving AI-powered cheating and a staggering 4,251 instances of “finger blending,” painting a grim picture of sophisticated fraud techniques.
The Digital Threat to Educational Integrity
Speaking on the Arise TV Morning Show, Dr. Epelle voiced profound concern over the escalating use of technology in examination fraud. He highlighted a critical need for an emergency response within the Nigerian education sector, advocating for drastic measures to combat this new wave of deception. “I am troubled. The soul of the education sector is in trouble,” Dr. Epelle stated emphatically. He warned that without urgent, decisive action, the nation faces a severe crisis. The implications, he elaborated, are far-reaching, with many individuals potentially “parading certificates” that are, in fact, fraudulent. This grave concern extends even to higher institutions, as he added, “Universities are not exempt,” suggesting a systemic compromise of academic credentials across the board.
The sophisticated nature of these infractions, from AI cheats to elaborate finger blending schemes, underscores a disturbing trend where technological advancements are being subverted to undermine fair academic processes. JAMB’s uncovering of these widespread manipulations serves as a stark warning about the pervasive influence of digital tools in facilitating examination fraud. Addressing this challenge demands a comprehensive strategy, not just from examination bodies but from all stakeholders in the education ecosystem, to safeguard the credibility of academic qualifications in Nigeria.
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