During the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) uncovered a case of impersonation leading to the arrest of a father and his son. The incident, which occurred at an undisclosed location, highlights the ongoing challenge of exam malpractice in the country.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, condemned the act, emphasizing the consequences of cheating. He stated, “For those who engage in cheating, they should know that it does not pay. The technology is helping us to check that.”
The father’s action of impersonating his son and writing the exam on his behalf raises questions about the impact on the son’s future. Oloyede expressed bewilderment, saying, “I wonder, are you not destroying your son’s future?” Both individuals are currently in custody.
Oloyede revealed that impersonation remains a prevalent issue, exacerbated by cases of individuals possessing multiple National Identification Numbers (NINs). He plans to address this issue with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
He emphasized the effectiveness of JAMB’s improved technology in detecting and apprehending perpetrators. “We are just picking them up like chicken now because the facilities are there for us to see what they are doing and to pick them up.”
Despite the challenges, Oloyede noted a smoother and faster examination process due to enhanced automation. Approximately 1.94 million candidates participated in the UTME, with fewer than 100,000 remaining by the end of the day.
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However, Oloyede expressed disappointment at the behavior of some parents during the exam. While most parents refrained from interfering, there were isolated incidents where parents protested the continuation of exams after initial failures.
Regarding candidates who missed the exam due to personal reasons, Oloyede asserted that JAMB cannot accommodate reorganization for a few individuals. He cited instances where schools, driven by financial motives, facilitated the late arrival of students, leading to missed exams.
