In a startling revelation, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that a father was apprehended for attempting to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on behalf of his son.
The incident underscores the growing concerns surrounding examination malpractice in the country.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, speaking during an inspection of UTME centers in Kaduna, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the 2024 examination, which saw a participation of 1.94 million students.
However, he lamented the prevalence of impersonation cases, revealing that some individuals possess multiple National Identity Numbers (NIN), thereby undermining identity verification efforts.
Highlighting the case of the father caught impersonating his son, Prof. Oloyede questioned the detrimental impact of such actions on the future of the individuals involved.
He stated, “I can’t understand what the father will now tell his son when they are both locked up in the same cell.”
The Registrar emphasized JAMB’s commitment to leveraging technology to combat examination malpractice, stating, “The technology is helping us to check that… we are ahead of them; we are just picking them up like chicken now.”
Furthermore, Prof. Oloyede addressed challenges faced during the UTME, including cases of candidates missing exams due to logistical issues orchestrated by schools and third-party interference in registration processes. He urged candidates to exercise their right to communicate directly with JAMB rather than relying on intermediaries.
Regarding infrastructure, the Registrar underscored the need for mega Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers across the country to alleviate logistical constraints during examinations.
He called for support from highly populated states like Lagos to facilitate the establishment of such centers, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between JAMB and state governments.
Prof. Oloyede expressed optimism that with adequate support and resources, JAMB can address existing challenges and ensure a seamless examination process nationwide.
He urged authorities in Lagos to provide suitable land for the construction of a Mega CBT center, similar to those in Kaduna, to enhance examination logistics and accommodate a larger number of candidates efficiently.