Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has called on Nigeria’s security agencies to expedite their investigation into the recent hacking of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) website—an incident that disrupted the academic futures of hundreds of thousands of Nigerian students.
In a statement released on Saturday through the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, Governor Uzodimma praised the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) for apprehending 20 suspects believed to be involved in the cyber-attack.
The breach, which occurred during the 2025 JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), led to a technical disruption affecting the results of more than 370,000 candidates—many of whom are from the South East region.
The suspects are alleged to have gained unauthorized access to JAMB’s systems, reportedly for financial gain, causing a major uproar among students, parents, and educators nationwide.
Describing the arrests as “timely and essential,” Uzodimma emphasized the need for a thorough and swift investigation. “This cyber-attack was not only a breach of JAMB’s system; it was a direct assault on the dreams and future of Nigeria’s youth. It must not go unpunished,” he said.
He urged both the police and the DSS to waste no time in completing their investigations and ensuring that the suspects are swiftly arraigned. “Quick prosecution will serve as a deterrent and reinforce the message that no one is above the law—especially when the nation’s educational integrity is at stake,” Uzodimma asserted.
The Governor condemned the sabotage as a “national embarrassment”, noting that the ripple effects of the incident have eroded public confidence in critical national institutions.
However, he commended the leadership of JAMB, particularly its Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for his unwavering transparency and commitment to preserving the credibility of the examination body in the face of such adversity.
“Prof. Oloyede has shown exceptional leadership in navigating this crisis and maintaining the trust of the Nigerian public. The South East Governors’ Forum stands with him and JAMB in the ongoing effort to restore normalcy and uphold the integrity of the nation’s examination process,” Uzodimma added.
The Governor also called for enhanced cybersecurity protocols across all national digital infrastructure to prevent future breaches, especially in sectors as vital as education.
