Anambra and Lagos Record Highest Malpractice Cases in 2025 UTME

 The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed Anambra and Lagos as the states with the highest incidents of examination malpractices, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s educational assessment system. 

The examination, held in April 2025 across 700 accredited centers nationwide, saw over 1.8 million candidates vying for admission into tertiary institutions, but a significant number of irregularities were reported, particularly in these two states.

JAMB’s post-examination analysis identified Anambra and Lagos as hotspots for malpractices, including impersonation, use of unauthorized electronic devices, and collusion with invigilators. Anambra recorded the highest number of cases, with over 200 candidates sanctioned for offenses such as smuggling mobile phones into exam halls and engaging in group cheating schemes. Lagos followed closely, with approximately 150 cases, many involving sophisticated methods like hacking into JAMB’s biometric systems to alter candidate identities. The prevalence of these incidents has prompted JAMB to blacklist 15 examination centers in the two states, barring them from hosting future UTME sessions.

The rise in malpractices is attributed to several factors, including intense competition for limited university slots and the proliferation of “miracle centers” that promise high scores for a fee. In Anambra, investigations revealed that some private tutorial centers colluded with candidates to leak exam questions, while in Lagos, urban density and lax supervision at certain centers facilitated cheating. JAMB has responded by enhancing its technology, deploying advanced biometric verification and AI-powered surveillance to detect irregularities. Over 400 candidates nationwide were disqualified, with Anambra and Lagos accounting for nearly 60% of these cases.

The implications of these malpractices are far-reaching. Disqualified candidates face a one-year ban from retaking the UTME, delaying their academic pursuits and affecting their families. Education stakeholders have called for stricter penalties for complicit centers and invigilators, as well as public awareness campaigns to deter cheating. The government has also been urged to address the root causes, such as inadequate school infrastructure and pressure from parents, which drive candidates to unethical means. JAMB’s registrar has vowed to collaborate with security agencies to prosecute offenders, emphasizing that the board’s zero-tolerance policy will be enforced rigorously.

Efforts to curb malpractices include plans to expand computer-based testing centers and train invigilators more thoroughly. The 2025 UTME results, released in early May, showed strong overall performance, with 76% of candidates scoring above 200 out of 400, but the malpractice cases have cast a shadow over these achievements. As Nigeria seeks to maintain the credibility of its educational system, the focus remains on ensuring fairness and transparency in future examinations, particularly in high-risk states like Anambra and Lagos.