The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a staggering 585 fake A-Level certificates submitted for admissions in 2025, with four suspects already arrested in connection to the fraud.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, made this disclosure during a closed-door virtual meeting with the board’s staff on April 2, 2025. A transcript of the meeting was published in the latest edition of the JAMB weekly bulletin obtained by The PUNCH on Monday.
Prof. Oloyede described the discovery as alarming, noting that the prevalence of forged A-Level results—especially the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) certificates—was one of the reasons behind the establishment of the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPSED), which aims to streamline and secure the data management of post-secondary education in Nigeria.
The Registrar revealed that 13 of the forged certificates were uploaded through Professional Registration Centres, which are now under investigation. Out of these, four individuals have been arrested and are currently assisting security agencies in tracking down key members of the examination fraud syndicates.
Worryingly, the investigation has also uncovered evidence suggesting internal collaboration from some higher institutions, with insiders allegedly aiding and abetting the issuance of fake certificates.
Prof. Oloyede also raised concerns over reports of extortion by officials at some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, where candidates were charged for services that are meant to be free. He described these actions as deeply damaging to the integrity of the Board.
The Registrar urged all staff to recommit to upholding ethical standards and protecting the credibility of the examination and admission processes in Nigeria.
“Let us work together to restore and preserve the integrity of the system. The future of our education sector depends on our collective resolve to do what is right,” he said.
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