The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is preparing to introduce Facial Biometric Verification (FBV) for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in a move aimed at strengthening candidate identification and tackling impersonation and examination malpractice.

The development was disclosed in the Board’s weekly bulletin as JAMB advances measures to improve security around the UTME, one of Nigeria’s largest annual public examinations.

Under the proposed arrangement, JAMB will collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to authenticate candidates through live facial recognition before they are permitted to take the examination.

Candidates will complete facial verification using an application, after which the verification outcome will be transmitted to NIMC. The identity management agency will subsequently send a code back to JAMB indicating whether the candidate’s identity claim has been confirmed or rejected.

JAMB said its existing 10-fingerprint biometric verification will initially remain in use alongside the facial recognition technology.

The Board, however, intends to eventually eliminate the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) in favour of facial verification. Fingerprint authentication is also expected to be gradually discontinued over a period of two to three years.

As the new system is introduced, accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres will be required to install suitable CCTV cameras. Examination personnel will also undergo training to enable them to work with the new technology.

JAMB explained that facial biometric verification identifies individuals through their unique facial characteristics and can add another layer of security beyond conventional biometric authentication methods.

The Board’s current examination procedures already mandate biometric authentication, including the capture of all 10 fingerprints from candidates during registration.

The planned shift to facial verification is expected to reinforce candidate authentication, minimise impersonation and enhance the integrity of the UTME as JAMB continues to incorporate technology-driven measures into its examination processes.

Source: msme Africa online