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Original Article
Biometric Fraud, Syndicated Collusion, and the Governance of Technology-Enabled Examination Malpractice in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2025 UTME Special Committee Investigation
Okpaka, Chukwuma, FNCS1
Member, Special Committee on Examination Infractions, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Abuja, Nigeria. Department of Computer Science, Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria.
Published Online: May-June 2026
Pages: 328-339
Cite this article
↗ https://www.doi.org/10.59256/ijrtmr.20260603038References
1. JAMB. Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI): Final Report. Abuja: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; 2025.
2. Deihl M, Davis J. Examination integrity and educational equity: A global review. J Educ Policy. 2021;36(4):512–531.
3. JAMB. Annual Report and Statistical Digest 2025. Abuja: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; 2025.
4. Eze N. Technological malpractice in Nigerian tertiary entrance examinations: An emerging challenge. Afr J Educ Stud. 2022;9(2):88–104.
5. Osunde A, Omoruyi O. Mobile phone use and examination malpractice in secondary schools in Nigeria. Int J Educ Res. 2020;8(3):44–58.
6. Cizek GJ, Wollack JA. Handbook of Quantitative Methods for Detecting Cheating on Tests. New York: Routledge; 2017.
7. Sotayi A. Typologies of examination malpractice in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Comp Educ Rev. 2019;63(2):179–202.
8. Chapman DW, Lindner S. Degrees of integrity: The threat of fraud in higher education. Stud High Educ. 2016;41(2):247–268.
9. Aluede O, Idogho PO, Imonikhe JS. Increasing access to university education in Nigeria: Present challenges and suggestions for the future. Afr Res Rev. 2012;6(1):189–202.
10. Nwadiani M. Examination malpractice in Nigerian universities: Causes, consequences and remedies. Benin City: Ambik Press; 2000.
11. Osunde A, Omoruyi O. Electronic malpractice: The challenge of mobile phone use during examinations. J Educ Technol. 2020;17(1):31–42.
12. Eze N. From manual to digital impersonation in Nigerian examinations: Tracing the evolution. Niger J Educ Policy. 2023;11(1):14–29.
13. Jain AK, Flynn P, Ross AA (eds). Handbook of Biometrics. New York: Springer; 2007.
14. Daugman J. How iris recognition works. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol. 2004;14(1):21–30.
15. Bamiro D. JAMB ITS Technical Overview: Biometric Integration in UTME 2025. Abuja: JAMB; 2025.
16. Ratha NK, Connell JH, Bolle RM. An analysis of minutiae matching strength. Proc AVBPA. 2001;223–228.
17. Johnston A. Governing examination integrity: A three-level framework for national assessment systems. Assess Educ. 2012;19(3):303–320.
18. Baird JA, Isaacs T, Johnson S, et al. Assessment and Learning: The Learner Perspective. London: SAGE; 2011.
19. Chapman DW, Lindner S. Degrees of integrity: The threat of fraud in higher education. Stud High Educ. 2016;41(2):247–268.
20. Okwuosa L. Examination malpractice law in Nigeria: An assessment of adequacy and enforcement. Niger Law J. 2023;22(1):44–68.
21. Okonkwo R. Cultural normalization of examination fraud in Nigeria: A qualitative study. J Educ Dev. 2018;12(3):77–95.
22. Umar A, Alhaji M, Garba S. Parental complicity and examination fraud in Northern Nigeria. Afr J Educ Manag. 2021;18(2):112–129.
23. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Abuja: Government Printer; 2004.
24. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (amended 2024). Abuja: Government Printer; 2024.
25. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Abuja: Government Printer; 2015.
26. UCAS. How to Apply: Undergraduate Applicant Guide 2025. Cheltenham: UCAS; 2025.
27. College Board. SAT Suite of Assessments: Test Administrator Manual 2025. New York: College Board; 2025.
28. Cambridge Assessment International Education. Cambridge Handbook 2025: General Regulations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2025.
29. Owoseni F. Security dimensions of examination malpractice: A law enforcement perspective. Presentation to SCEI, August 2025. Abuja: JAMB; 2025.
30. National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). NIN Enrolment Anomaly Report Q2 2025. Abuja: NIMC; 2025.
2. Deihl M, Davis J. Examination integrity and educational equity: A global review. J Educ Policy. 2021;36(4):512–531.
3. JAMB. Annual Report and Statistical Digest 2025. Abuja: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; 2025.
4. Eze N. Technological malpractice in Nigerian tertiary entrance examinations: An emerging challenge. Afr J Educ Stud. 2022;9(2):88–104.
5. Osunde A, Omoruyi O. Mobile phone use and examination malpractice in secondary schools in Nigeria. Int J Educ Res. 2020;8(3):44–58.
6. Cizek GJ, Wollack JA. Handbook of Quantitative Methods for Detecting Cheating on Tests. New York: Routledge; 2017.
7. Sotayi A. Typologies of examination malpractice in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Comp Educ Rev. 2019;63(2):179–202.
8. Chapman DW, Lindner S. Degrees of integrity: The threat of fraud in higher education. Stud High Educ. 2016;41(2):247–268.
9. Aluede O, Idogho PO, Imonikhe JS. Increasing access to university education in Nigeria: Present challenges and suggestions for the future. Afr Res Rev. 2012;6(1):189–202.
10. Nwadiani M. Examination malpractice in Nigerian universities: Causes, consequences and remedies. Benin City: Ambik Press; 2000.
11. Osunde A, Omoruyi O. Electronic malpractice: The challenge of mobile phone use during examinations. J Educ Technol. 2020;17(1):31–42.
12. Eze N. From manual to digital impersonation in Nigerian examinations: Tracing the evolution. Niger J Educ Policy. 2023;11(1):14–29.
13. Jain AK, Flynn P, Ross AA (eds). Handbook of Biometrics. New York: Springer; 2007.
14. Daugman J. How iris recognition works. IEEE Trans Circuits Syst Video Technol. 2004;14(1):21–30.
15. Bamiro D. JAMB ITS Technical Overview: Biometric Integration in UTME 2025. Abuja: JAMB; 2025.
16. Ratha NK, Connell JH, Bolle RM. An analysis of minutiae matching strength. Proc AVBPA. 2001;223–228.
17. Johnston A. Governing examination integrity: A three-level framework for national assessment systems. Assess Educ. 2012;19(3):303–320.
18. Baird JA, Isaacs T, Johnson S, et al. Assessment and Learning: The Learner Perspective. London: SAGE; 2011.
19. Chapman DW, Lindner S. Degrees of integrity: The threat of fraud in higher education. Stud High Educ. 2016;41(2):247–268.
20. Okwuosa L. Examination malpractice law in Nigeria: An assessment of adequacy and enforcement. Niger Law J. 2023;22(1):44–68.
21. Okonkwo R. Cultural normalization of examination fraud in Nigeria: A qualitative study. J Educ Dev. 2018;12(3):77–95.
22. Umar A, Alhaji M, Garba S. Parental complicity and examination fraud in Northern Nigeria. Afr J Educ Manag. 2021;18(2):112–129.
23. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Examination Malpractice Act, Cap E15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Abuja: Government Printer; 2004.
24. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (amended 2024). Abuja: Government Printer; 2024.
25. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Abuja: Government Printer; 2015.
26. UCAS. How to Apply: Undergraduate Applicant Guide 2025. Cheltenham: UCAS; 2025.
27. College Board. SAT Suite of Assessments: Test Administrator Manual 2025. New York: College Board; 2025.
28. Cambridge Assessment International Education. Cambridge Handbook 2025: General Regulations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2025.
29. Owoseni F. Security dimensions of examination malpractice: A law enforcement perspective. Presentation to SCEI, August 2025. Abuja: JAMB; 2025.
30. National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). NIN Enrolment Anomaly Report Q2 2025. Abuja: NIMC; 2025.
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