The bright lights of an admissions season dimmed on Friday when the University of Lagos (UNILAG) released a blunt notice: its 2025/2026 Post-UTME online screening (run from 1st to 4th September 2025) was completed by 20,464 candidates, and “regrettably” some candidates engaged in malpractice.
The university warns that, after ongoing investigations, offenders “will be rendered ineligible for admission” in line with UNILAG’s declared zero-tolerance stance.
This is not a routine reminder. UNILAG says it possesses verifiable evidence of infractions and that its official channels remain open for enquiries — language that signals many candidates could lose a hard-fought place if found culpable.
What The Notice Actually Says
* Scale: 20,464 candidates participated in UNILAG’s Post-UTME online screening (1–4 Sept).
* Allegation: Some candidates engaged in various forms of malpractice during the online exercise; UNILAG claims it has verifiable evidence.
* Penalty warning: Candidates found guilty will be declared ineligible for admission — an immediate education-career setback.
This is happening against a national backdrop: regulatory bodies and the Federal Government have recently tightened punishments for exam cheats, including directives about multi-year bans, and JAMB has been actively probing technology-driven malpractice detected during the 2025 UTME. The environment for accused candidates is therefore harsher than ever.
Why UNILAG’s statement Is Serious
1. “Verifiable evidence” usually means digital traces. Online screening leaves logs: IP addresses, timestamps, unusual answer patterns, multiple simultaneous logins, and screen-sharing or proxy access can be tracked. Universities increasingly deploy forensic checks that are hard to dispute.
2. Consequences extend beyond UNILAG. Recent federal directives and JAMB policy changes mean candidates found guilty at one exam risk broader sanctions, including bans from sitting national exams for years. In short: this could derail further attempts to gain tertiary admission.
3. Reputational and legal exposure. Universities sometimes escalate serious malpractice to law enforcement, and being publicly labelled for cheating can haunt a student’s future applications and scholarship prospects.
The Human Angle — Why This Is Devastating For Candidates And Families
Imagine months of sacrifice: tuition for registration, travel, tutorials, sleepless nights. For many families, UNILAG is a dream, a ticket to social mobility.
Being declared ineligible after an investigation will feel not just like failure, but like a sudden collapse of hope and investment.
Social media will amplify the fallout; rumours and shame can spread even before due process is complete. That human cost is why clarity, speed, and fairness in the investigation matter as much as the enforcement of rules.
What UNILAG Candidates Should Do Right Now (Step-By-Step)
1. Save everything. Keep your exam registration slip, e-mail receipts, payment confirmations, screenshots of the exam page (if you took any), and any communication from UNILAG or your test centre. These are critical if you must challenge a finding.
2. Contact UNILAG through official channels. The university’s communication unit has stated its lines are open — use those official emails/portals rather than social channels. (You’ll find the university communications page on the official UNILAG website.)
3. Do not post panic confessions on social media. Anything you post can be used in evidence or inflame public opinion. Keep queries formal and written.
4. Seek clarification on process and timelines. Ask UNILAG for precise information: the nature of the alleged infraction, how evidence was collected, the committee handling the probe, expected timelines, and appeal procedures.
5. Consider legal advice if accused. If UNILAG declares you culpable, a lawyer experienced in education or administrative law can help protect your rights and challenge flawed procedures.
6. Contact JAMB if your UTME is implicated. JAMB has been active in investigating techno-malpractice; coordinate any defence or appeal with both UNILAG and JAMB where necessary.
Why Online Exams Are A Double-Edged Sword
Online screening democratizes access and reduces logistical costs, but it also creates new vulnerabilities. JAMB and universities have repeatedly reported “technology-driven malpractice”, remote proctoring hacks, proxy test-taking, and ‘miracle-centre’ interventions.
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The solution isn’t to abandon digital testing, but to build forensic controls, transparent audits, and quick, fair processes for accused candidates.
The Message
UNILAG’s message was short and stark: the screening happened, evidence of malpractice exists, and anyone found to have cheated will not be admitted.
For the tens of thousands who sat the test fairly, it’s a reassurance that standards matter. For those under suspicion, it’s the start of a difficult and possibly life-altering process.
If you or someone you know is affected, act quickly, document everything, and use only UNILAG’s official channels for communication. The next few weeks will determine many futures.
