The Federal Government has issued a new directive to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to transfer candidates’ biometrics to their chosen institution.
According to NAN, the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said the government issued the directive through the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, in Abuja on Friday.
Oloyede said the Federal Government had mounted adequate checks against impersonators in the country’s tertiary institutions’ admission process.
He said if the directive is implemented, it will end fresh capturing of pictures and biometrics of candidates for post-UTME tests.
He noted that the new directives had uncovered 657 cases of candidates that their photographs did not match the one in JAMB’s database but are currently trying to change the pictures.
He also noted that the Board has resolved that anyone who wants to change photographs should attend its headquarters.
“In previous admission exercises, certain candidates who appear in the institution for registration were different from those who actually sit the examination.
“This was possible because the institutions were taking fresh pictures and biometrics, thereby making it possible for impersonators to have a field day to ply their trade.
“In the last exercise, we insisted, as directed by the Minister of Education, that all institutions should use the already captured biometrics and pictures by the Board.
“This made it impossible for the candidates whose examinations were taken on their behalf by professional examination takers to gain admissions,” he said.
Oloyede also disclosed that the new directive has led to the arrest of a police constable, Etim Israel, on allegation of exam malpractice.
“Etim hired a school teacher named Emmanuel and paid him N30,000 to write the 2020 UTME for him, while he was away on official duties.
“Luck, however, ran out on him when his photograph could not tally with Emmanuel’s and was forced to visit the JAMB headquarters in Abuja for rectification.
“He scored over 200 points in UTME and wanted to read fishery at the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden Mpat Enin.
“But the new measures in place will not let him dare show his face in his chosen institution as it is the picture of his impersonator that was displayed at the screening venue,” he added.
