JAMB Uncovers Syndicate Using ‘AI to Sabotage’ 2026 UTME Registration

— JAMB logo (file)

By: Bunmi Onakan

Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede says the examination body has uncovered a syndicate allegedly using artificial intelligence to bypass the 2026 unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) to assist candidates.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Oloyede said the board is currently investigating members of the syndicate who have been taken into custody.

He said many of the candidates who patronised the syndicate are underaged, who, according to him, have been pushed by their parents beyond their academic capacity.

Oloyede said about 38,000 underage candidates have registered for the 2026 UTME, adding that about 100 of them have been detected to have been assisted by the syndicate during the registration.

He said the board has recommended the affected candidates to Tunji Alausa, minister of education, for cancellation of their registration.

The JAMB registrar said three top officials of the board have also been recommended for dismissal have being found to have collaborated in sabotaging the system.

He added that two other officials and a member of staff of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, are currently undergoing criminal prosecution for involvement in activities inimical to the integrity of the examination body.

He said members of the syndicate are being investigated and will soon face necessary criminal prosecution.

“Parents and their children are willing collaborators and cannot be said to be innocent,” Oloyede said.

“We have made recommendations to the minister of education to cancel their registration; there are about 100 of them.

“This incident cuts across the country, in at least 25 states. We also have three proprietor of schools who are in custody for aiding and abeting examination malpractices.”

Oloyede commended security agencies for their cooperation, adding that JAMB has the capability to deal with all those sabotaging its system.

“We are ahead of them. The only problem we have is public opinion.”