Abuja, Nigeria — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 21 candidates who submitted fake Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) results during the 2023 admissions process. The discovery, which was detailed in a policy document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, highlights a troubling trend of academic fraud that has prompted immediate action by the board.
Among the institutions involved, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was identified as having recommended 12 out of the 21 candidates with fake IJMB results, raising concerns about the integrity of the admissions process. JAMB described the situation as “audacious,” noting that the recommendations were made possible because certificate screenings were conducted after the registration process.
JAMB emphasized the importance of rigorous certificate verification, stating that all certificates must bear the signature of the institution’s head, whether a Vice-Chancellor, Provost, or Rector. This measure is aimed at curbing the submission of fraudulent documents and ensuring that only qualified candidates gain admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
In response to the growing issue of fake results, JAMB has taken several steps to tighten verification processes. In 2021, the board launched the Nigerian Post-Secondary Education Data System verification platform, designed to authenticate IJMB and Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) results. This move followed an investigation led by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, which uncovered widespread irregularities and result falsification in IJMB and JUPEB examinations.
JAMB has vowed to continue its crackdown on academic fraud, stressing that these proactive measures are essential to preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s education system. The board warned that the gains made in the examination sub-sector over the years must not be undermined by unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit the system.
“These proactive measures, as well as others that are in the pipeline, are to ensure that the gains recorded in the education sector, especially the examination sub-sector over the years, are not eroded by unscrupulous individuals who do not mean well for Nigeria,” JAMB stated.
The board’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to maintaining high standards in the admissions process, ensuring that only deserving candidates are admitted into the country’s universities and other tertiary institutions. As the 2023 admissions cycle continues, JAMB’s vigilance in combating academic fraud will be crucial in safeguarding the future of Nigerian education.
