JAMB Introduces Facial Scan To Curb UTME Impersonation

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to introduce Facial Biometric Verification (FBV) in the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as part of efforts to tackle impersonation, examination malpractice, and restore greater integrity to the examination process.

JAMB announced this in its weekly bulletin released on Monday.

The Board said the planned transition marks another major step towards strengthening biometric identification and tightening security around the UTME, one of Nigeria’s largest annual public examinations.

Under the new arrangement, JAMB said it would partner with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to verify candidates through live facial recognition before they are allowed to sit the UTME.

The Board further said candidates seeking to take the examination would undergo live facial verification through an application, with the verification result forwarded to NIMC, adding that it would initially retain the existing 10-fingerprint biometric format alongside the live facial verification system.

However, it disclosed that facial verification technology would eventually replace One-Time Passwords (OTPs), while fingerprint verification would be phased out over the next two to three years.

To facilitate the transition, JAMB said it was already putting measures in place to ensure that all accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were equipped with appropriate Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and that personnel were adequately trained.