By Parrot Newspaper 
NDPC Probes 2025 UTME Glitch
In a move raising questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s education data ecosystem, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced a “systemic audit” of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), focusing sharply on how the examination body processes and shares sensitive personal information—especially with third-party service providers.
This rare probe comes amid growing public concern over the outsourcing of biometric and personal data collection to external contractors, many of whom operate with limited transparency and unclear compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws.
A senior official at the commission, who spoke on background, revealed that investigators are scrutinizing the chain of custody of student data, how consent is obtained, and whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent abuse or breaches. “This is not just a routine check,” the source said. “We’re evaluating systemic vulnerabilities and potential lapses in due diligence.”
JAMB, which administers nationwide entrance examinations into tertiary institutions, collects vast amounts of personal data including names, addresses, fingerprints, and facial recognition profiles. Much of this is processed by third-party vendors operating registration centers across the country.
The NDPC emphasized its commitment to enforcing the Nigeria Data Protection Act, warning that institutions found flouting the law will be held accountable. “We remain committed to safeguarding the digital rights of Nigerians,” the commission stated in a press release. “Our oversight includes ensuring that personal data—especially when handled by third-party actors—is not exposed to unnecessary risk.”
The outcome of the audit could have far-reaching implications for other public institutions and their data partnerships, signaling a shift toward tighter regulatory scrutiny in a landscape long criticized for its lax data governance.
NDPC Probes 2025 UTME Glitch
As of press time, JAMB has not issued an official response to the audit.