Parents, Not Candidates, Drive Examination Malpractice, Says JAMB Registrar Oloyede
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has blamed parents for the persistent rise in examination malpractice in Nigeria, arguing that many candidates are drawn into fraudulent practices by the pressure and actions of their guardians.
Oloyede said the growing trend of examination fraud is less about the willingness of candidates to cheat and more about the desperation of some parents who prioritize academic success over integrity. According to him, many parents actively seek illegal means to secure good results for their children, thereby introducing them to dishonest practices at an early age.
He lamented that the involvement of parents in examination malpractice has become a major obstacle to efforts aimed at restoring credibility to Nigeria's education system. Rather than encouraging hard work and discipline, he noted, some parents sponsor cheating syndicates, procure leaked examination materials, and pay for impersonation or other illicit services.
The JAMB Registrar stressed that such actions amount to initiating young people into criminal behaviour, warning that the long-term consequences extend beyond the classroom and contribute to a wider culture of corruption in society.
Oloyede called on parents to embrace their responsibility as moral guides by instilling values of honesty, diligence, and accountability in their children. He maintained that academic excellence achieved through fraudulent means offers no lasting benefit and ultimately undermines national development.
He also urged schools, examination bodies, religious institutions, and community leaders to work together in promoting ethical conduct among students and discouraging every form of examination malpractice.
The JAMB boss reaffirmed the board's commitment to deploying technology and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to curb examination fraud. He, however, emphasized that lasting success in the fight against malpractice would depend largely on the cooperation of parents and the wider society.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly identified examination malpractice as one of the greatest threats to the quality and credibility of Nigeria's educational system, with experts warning that the trend could erode public confidence in academic qualifications if not decisively addressed.
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Label: Education