JAMB Accuses UTME Top Scorer Of Identity Fraud To Secure Multiple Admissions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has alleged that Chinedu Okeke, the top scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), manipulated his personal data to gain multiple admissions under different identities and benefit from separate state quotas.

The issue came to light after Okeke, currently a 400-level Medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, surfaced again in the 2025 UTME with a new application to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos. He scored 375, the highest mark in the exam. His sudden reappearance raised questions from the examination body.

JAMB says Okeke originally registered for the 2021 UTME using details that identified him as a candidate from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area in Lagos State. Based on that record, he secured admission into Medicine and Surgery at UNN and is nearing the completion of the six-year programme.

According to JAMB, Okeke altered his previously submitted records before registering for the 2025 UTME, this time claiming to be from Anambra State. The Board suspects this was an attempt to exploit state quota systems and increase his chances of admission into another competitive course.

JAMB maintains that the identity of each candidate is verified using the National Identification Number (NIN), and it does not modify any personal information supplied during registration. It dismissed claims that it pulled incorrect data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), noting instead that available records indicate Okeke made changes himself, a fact acknowledged even by some of his supporters.

The board expressed concern that some individuals are attempting to sway public opinion in Okeke’s favour through emotional appeals and online campaigns, rather than seeking clarity through proper institutional channels. JAMB noted that the University of Nigeria has not denied Okeke’s enrolment, which supports the board’s claims.

Pending full confirmation from UNN, JAMB says it still recognises Okeke as a registered medical student. However, it has notified the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and may call for further action if the alleged identity manipulation is verified.

Okeke is accused of benefiting from Lagos State’s admission quota in 2021 and attempting to do the same for Anambra State in 2025, potentially taking spots from qualified candidates in both states.

Meanwhile, education expert and CEO of Educare, Alex Onyia, has criticised JAMB’s treatment of the case, arguing that Okeke is being unfairly targeted. He blamed a 2021 data migration error on the NIN platform for inconsistencies in Okeke’s records. Onyia claims the candidate followed due process to correct his information and that JAMB acknowledged the updates.

He also mentioned that Okeke had to retake his 2025 UTME after a technical glitch forced a reschedule, during which he scored the highest mark nationally. Onyia is urging JAMB to conduct a thorough investigation and issue a public apology, saying the public scrutiny is unwarranted and damaging to a young person’s reputation.

As the case continues to unfold, JAMB insists it will uphold the principles of transparency and rule-based admissions, while also working with NIMC to safeguard the integrity of candidate data.