In a significant crackdown on examination malpractice, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have apprehended at least 20 individuals in Abuja for allegedly hacking the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.
The suspects are believed to be part of a larger syndicate comprising over 100 members who specialize in breaching the computer servers of examination bodies such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Investigations revealed that the syndicate’s operations aimed to manipulate the Computer-Based Test (CBT) systems to produce inflated scores for candidates who paid between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million. Many of these candidates were enrolled in private schools owned by members of the syndicate, which operated so-called “special centres” notorious for facilitating examination fraud.
Security sources disclosed that the hackers employed sophisticated methods, including installing malicious software and deploying rogue routers near CBT centres, to intercept and alter examination data. These actions not only compromised the integrity of the UTME results but also contributed to widespread technical glitches, leading to mass failures and necessitating rescheduled exams for affected candidates.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has addressed concerns over the examination’s integrity, attributing the disruptions to technical issues caused by one of its service providers. He emphasized that the board is committed to upholding the credibility of its examinations and is working closely with security agencies to prevent future occurrences.
The arrested individuals are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution as investigations continue. Authorities have assured the public of their commitment to eradicating examination malpractice and restoring confidence in the nation’s educational assessment systems.
