Will JAMB’s Automation Finally End Exam Malpractice?

For decades, examination malpractice has remained one of the most persistent challenges confronting Nigeria’s education system.

From leaked question papers to organised cheating networks and impersonation, public examinations have often been overshadowed by concerns about credibility and fairness.

Each year, millions of candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), yet the question of whether the system is truly secure continues to generate debate among education stakeholders.

The challenge has persisted despite several reforms introduced over the years to restore confidence in the country’s admission process.

Technology, in particular, has increasingly been deployed as a tool to improve transparency and reduce human interference in examinations.

From the introduction of computer-based testing to biometric verification of candidates, JAMB had, in the past few years attempted to modernise its operations in response to growing public demand for credible examinations.

Now, it has taken another major step  with the automation of its test item development process. Through a new innovation known as the Remote Authoring and Moderation System (RAMS), JAMB has digitised the way examination questions are developed and moderated for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and other tests conducted by the Board.

The move marks the end of the manual method previously used in preparing examination items and raises a critical question on whether this could be a technological leap to close the loopholes that have long enabled examination malpractice.

The automation exercise was successfully completed ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The digitisation process was finalised during a training programme for item writers held at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A test run conducted immediately after the training confirmed that the system was fully operational and ready for deployment.

The new platform allows item writers and moderators to develop, review and validate examination questions remotely through a secure digital environment.

Instead of convening physical meetings in designated locations, a process that previously involved travel arrangements, accommodation logistics and security considerations, experts can now work from different locations while maintaining strict confidentiality.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, described the development as the culmination of a long journey toward full automation.

According to him, the Board has spent nearly a decade pursuing reforms aimed at improving the credibility, efficiency and security of the examination system.

He noted that the transition to a fully digital platform eliminates many of the challenges associated with the old system.

These include the physical movement of confidential documents, delays in coordinating meetings, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that often accompanied the gathering of item writers in one location.

Beyond convenience, the automation initiative is also expected to enhance the integrity and security of examination materials. With a secure digital platform in place, the risk of unauthorised access to examination items is expected to be significantly reduced.

At the same time, the system allows item writers to perform their duties without the stress and inconvenience of frequent travel.

Before the introduction of computer-based testing, the examination was conducted using the traditional paper-and-pencil format. That system was widely criticised for enabling large-scale malpractice, including question paper leaks, collusion among candidates and manipulation of results.

The shift to computer-based testing marked a turning point in the Board’s operations, delivering examination questions electronically and marking them automatically, JAMB significantly reduced opportunities for human interference in the scoring process.

The new system also made it possible to monitor examination centres more effectively.

However, even after the adoption of computer-based testing, the development of examination questions continued to rely largely on manual processes.

Experts responsible for writing and moderating items still had to gather physically at designated locations to carry out their assignments.

While this approach allowed for collaboration among experts, it also created logistical challenges and potential security concerns.

The introduction of RAMS therefore represents the next stage in the digital transformation of JAMB’s operations, extending automation beyond the examination hall to the very process through which examination questions are created.

At the same time, the automation initiative comes at a period when the number of candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions continues to rise.

According to Prof. Oloyede, more than two million candidates had already registered for the 2026 UTME at the time of the briefing.

Prof. Oloyede has also called on political leaders and education stakeholders to support the Board’s efforts by investing in the establishment of world-class computer-based testing centres across the country.

Such investments, he believes, will not only strengthen the examination system but also promote digital literacy among young Nigerians.

He commended individuals and institutions that have supported the expansion of educational infrastructure, noting that sustained collaboration is essential to improving Nigeria’s education system.

Ultimately, the automation of test item development represents another milestone in the ongoing reform of Nigeria’s examination process. By digitising both the conduct of the examination and the creation of its questions, JAMB is attempting to close some of the loopholes that have historically undermined the credibility of public examinations.

However, some parents whose wards are registering for the 2026 JAMB hailed the Board for its strides while urging it to improve the RAM system to overcome glitches.

Speaking, Mummy Anable, as she is called, said this is a welcome development.

“I commend JAMB for this, but my concern is that we often hear about technical glitches whenever new developments are introduced. JAMB should work on that,” she said.