JAMB CRACKS DOWN: 11 CBT CENTERS AND REGISTRANTS SANCTIONED OVER FINGERPRINTS FRAUD

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken a firm stance against biometric malpractice. Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced that 11 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and several registrants have been recommended for severe penalties following fingerprint irregularities during the 2025 UTME registration in Abuja .

Candidates who facilitated fingerprint captures for over 50 individuals face suspension from UTME, WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB activities for three years. Those with fewer infractions will receive warnings and must submit apology letters and non-recidivism bonds  . The 11 CBT centres involved must sign ethical conduct bonds and present training certificates from nearby federal universities before resuming operations; government-owned centres will be reported to their supervising agencies 

In May, JAMB apologised after a biometric glitch affected nearly 380,000 candidates across Lagos and five southeast states  . Affected registrants and centre operators pleaded ignorance, often citing pressure to enroll more students; some even broke down during the meeting  . Lagos’ former Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni suggested legal action for offenders but recommended a reformatory rather than purely punitive approach  .

The sanctions are pending final approval from the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa  . Affected centres must submit federal university–issued training certificates before they can be reinstated. Registrants registering fraudulently will be barred from all major national exams for three years.

This move is part of JAMB’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary entrance examinations. For those impacted by the biometric glitch, note that a mop-up UTME is being scheduled for affected candidates.