The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that a blind candidate hired a fellow blind man as an impersonator to sit the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on his behalf.
According to the Registrar of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the vision-impaired impersonator is an undergraduate.
Oloyede, who appeared at a press briefing on Friday, stated that the board remains committed to providing the essential support for people with disabilities who want to pursue university education.
He said, “The Prof. Peter Okebukola-led JAMB Equal Opportunity Group continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication in ensuring that these candidates are able to sit examinations, regardless of their challenges,” Oloyede said while giving a brief on the 2025 UTME in Abuja.
“JAMB refunds to the blind and some categories of challenged candidates their registration fee in addition to providing transportation, lodging and feeding for them. For the 2025 UTME, a total of 501 candidates were successfully examined by JEOG across 11 centres nationwide. The results are also being released today.
“Sadly, one of them was also involved in impersonation by recruiting an undergraduate student who is also blind to come and write for another blind candidate.”
The 2025 UTME results were released to the public on Friday.
Ahead of the release, JAMB revealed information on the performance of the 1.9 million applicants who participated in the exam. The data show a stunning conclusion, with nearly 1.5 million individuals scoring below 200, the average standard.
The UTME, which carries a total of 400 points, tests applicants in four key disciplines. While English is required for all candidates, they may choose three additional subjects relevant to their desired course of study.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, responded to the performance data, saying the findings indicate the efficiency of the government’s efforts to combat exam malpractice.