JAMB Sacks Several Staffs Over UTME Fraud
In Abuja, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has moved to sack three of its staff over alleged illegal access to its portal ahead of the 2026 UTME.
The decision followed internal investigations that uncovered a breach linked to organised fraud networks. Two other officials in Kaduna and Katsina are under probe.
Registrar Ishaq Oloyede disclosed that the scheme involved criminal groups, some using artificial intelligence to pose as JAMB officials and deceive candidates.
More than 100 candidates are said to have paid for unlawful assistance, and their registrations now face cancellation pending approval from the Minister of Education.
Security agencies, including the DSS and the police, are backing the investigation.
The board also revealed that about 38,000 applicants fall below the approved admission age this year.
It warned that many underage candidates are being drawn into malpractice rings, raising fresh concerns about exploitation within the system.
JAMB dismissed claims of higher registration fees and confirmed that several CBT centres and tutorial operators tied to fraud have been suspended or arrested.
The board maintained that anyone found sabotaging the process, whether staff, parents or candidates, will face strict legal consequences.
