Board to partner NIMC for live facial verification as candidates will undergo additional identity checks before sitting examination

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to introduce Facial Biometric Verification (FBV) into the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as part of efforts to curb impersonation, examination malpractice and other forms of identity fraud.

The development was disclosed in the Board’s weekly bulletin released on Monday, as JAMB moves to strengthen the identity verification process for candidates sitting for the nation’s major university and tertiary institution entrance examination.

Under the proposed system, JAMB will partner with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to verify candidates using live facial recognition before they are permitted to take the UTME.

According to the Board, candidates will undergo facial verification through an application designed to capture and authenticate their identity. The verification result will then be transmitted to NIMC for further validation.

NIMC will subsequently process the candidate’s facial identity information and return a verification code to JAMB, indicating whether the individual’s identity claim has been affirmed or rejected.

The new system is expected to provide an additional layer of security around the examination process, particularly in preventing situations where individuals attempt to sit the UTME on behalf of registered candidates.

JAMB said it would, however, not immediately abandon its existing biometric verification system. The Board explained that the current 10-fingerprint biometric format would initially be retained alongside the new live facial verification process.

The dual biometric approach is expected to give the examination body more than one means of confirming candidates’ identities and detecting inconsistencies before and during the examination.

JAMB’s planned adoption of facial recognition marks another step in its efforts to use technology to tighten security around the UTME, which is taken annually by a large number of Nigerian candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

The Board has over the years introduced various biometric and technological measures aimed at reducing impersonation, multiple registrations and other forms of examination malpractice.

With the proposed integration of facial recognition and NIMC’s identity database, JAMB is seeking to make it increasingly difficult for impersonators to bypass its existing verification procedures.

The move also places greater emphasis on the accuracy of candidates’ identity information, as applicants will have to pass the additional verification process before gaining access to the examination.

JAMB said the initiative was part of its broader commitment to strengthening the credibility, security and integrity of the UTME.