Dr. Jake Epelle, chairman of the Special Committee on Examination Infractions established by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has raised serious concerns about the state of Nigeria’s education system.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday evening, Epelle, who also leads the TAF Foundation, discussed the findings of the committee’s report submitted earlier that day to JAMB.
The investigation revealed a staggering 4,251 cases of “finger blending” and 190 incidents of AI-driven impersonation using image morphing in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Formed on August 18, 2025, the committee was tasked with probing the rise in examination malpractices, evaluating JAMB’s operational systems, and recommending necessary reforms.
Epelle expressed deep alarm, stating, “The education sector is facing a crisis. The extent of manipulation and fraudulent activities we uncovered is astonishing. Young individuals armed with advanced technology are exploiting the system in ways that are truly shocking.”
He emphasized the need for accountability, saying, “During a briefing with the police, I insisted that offenders must face imprisonment. It’s unacceptable to merely investigate and then let culprits walk free. Numerous CBT centers will be shut down, their equipment confiscated, and owners prosecuted.”
Highlighting JAMB’s technological capabilities, Epelle noted, “JAMB employs some of the most advanced technology available. Without these measures, the situation would be far worse. Our committee includes top experts, such as a former Microsoft Africa head and Professor Tanko, a cybercrime specialist and Vice-Chancellor of UNIJOS, who leads our investigative sub-committee. We had full access to scrutinize JAMB’s processes.”
He attributed much of the problem to the misuse of Artificial Intelligence, explaining, “In this AI era, JAMB has implemented cutting-edge technology, yet there are individuals-particularly tech-savvy young Nigerians-working covertly to undermine it.”
Epelle shared an example of a medical student who repeatedly takes the JAMB exam on behalf of others for payment, illustrating the persistent attempts to exploit the system despite its robustness.
He advocated for adaptive technology tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges, adding, “Every technology has vulnerabilities. As someone who is visually impaired, I understand the importance of systems that accommodate diverse needs without causing strain. We must develop adaptive solutions that address our specific environment.”
He further revealed, “While JAMB’s technology is advanced, there are individuals tirelessly seeking ways to manipulate the process for personal gain.”
Regarding AI-assisted impersonation, Epelle disclosed, “There were 192 confirmed cases where AI was used to impersonate candidates. These ‘candidates’ are not genuine; AI technology projects the image of someone else taking the exam. Shockingly, 80% of these infractions involve parents attempting to secure unearned scores for their children.”
He issued a stern warning to parents, “It’s time for JAMB to publicly expose these offenders. Many parents who malign JAMB publicly and threaten legal action are the very ones caught in these schemes. When confronted, they quickly plead for leniency. We have concrete evidence of these cases.”
Looking ahead, Epelle recommended several measures: “We must enhance detection methods, deploy AI-powered biometric systems, enforce strict penalties including cancellation of fraudulent results, and strengthen mobile-first self-service platforms, which are crucial.”
He also called for legal reforms, urging amendments to the JAMB Act and the Examination Malpractice Act to formally recognize biometric verification and digital fraud, alongside establishing a dedicated legal unit within JAMB.
Finally, Epelle stressed the importance of cultural change, proposing an integrity-focused campaign and special protections for candidates under 18 years old to foster a more ethical examination environment.
