Cybersecurity Breach Compromises 2025 UTME Integrity.

Recent reports indicate a significant cybersecurity breach affecting the integrity of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). AIT reports that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have apprehended at least 20 individuals suspected of involvement in hacking the computer-based test (CBT) system.

The suspects, allegedly part of a larger syndicate of over 100 individuals, reportedly confessed to installing malicious software on JAMB’s hardware to remotely manipulate examination scores. Their objective, according to security sources, was to discredit the CBT format and discourage future adoption by other examination bodies. The illicit activity involved influencing scores for candidates who paid substantial sums, ranging from N700,000 to N2 million.

Preliminary investigations suggest that several suspects are proprietors of private schools and colleges, profiting significantly from these illicit activities within designated “special centers.” These arrests highlight the escalating threat of cybersecurity vulnerabilities within national examination systems and underscore the need for enhanced security protocols and continuous monitoring to safeguard the integrity of educational assessments. Further investigations are ongoing.