The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reported the arrest of 40 individuals involved in impersonating candidates during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). These individuals are now facing legal action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Meanwhile, many parents and guardians are raising concerns about the early 6:30 am start time for the exams. They argue that the timing is inconvenient, especially for candidates who must travel long distances to their exam centers. The UTME, which began on April 24, 2025, is scheduled to run until May 5, 2025, with more than 2 million candidates participating at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers nationwide.

One concerned mother, whose 14-year-old son was assigned to an exam center in Ikorodu, Lagos, shared her frustration on social media. She pointed out that her son would need to leave home at 4:00 am in order to make it to the center by 6:30 am. The lack of a car and limited public transport options posed significant challenges.

Other guardians have voiced similar complaints. For example, a concerned individual from Abeokuta explained that their sister was assigned to a far-away center in Ijebu Igbo, which required her to travel early in the morning. Several people also pointed out issues with the reliability of the CBT systems, suggesting that technological malfunctions could further complicate the exam process.

The dissatisfaction escalated when a 16-year-old candidate, Esther Oladele, went missing after taking a wrong bus to her designated exam center. After nearly 48 hours of concern, Esther was eventually located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

In response to concerns about the early exam time, JAMB clarified that the exams themselves begin at 8:00 am, and candidates are expected to arrive by 6:30 am to complete pre-exam checks. JAMB’s spokesperson explained that the early check-in was necessary to ensure smooth proceedings and avoid delays.

Regarding the issue of impersonation, JAMB reiterated its commitment to addressing malpractices despite the challenges. The board’s spokesperson also discussed Nigeria’s challenges with remote examinations, noting that while other countries may manage online exams, Nigeria’s infrastructure and context make such initiatives difficult at present.

On the matter of long distances to exam centers, JAMB argued that candidates have the option to select exam centers close to their homes, aiming to minimize travel burdens.

Amid these concerns, parents from Adamawa State protested over power failures that disrupted exams at the Modibbo Adama University CBT center. The power outage halted the exams for over 30 minutes, leaving some candidates unable to complete their exams. Parents are now calling for the cancellation of the results from these affected sessions.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has also pledged support in resolving some of these challenges. The committee has committed to working with JAMB to improve the conduct of future UTME sessions, especially regarding the lack of basic amenities at some centers.

As the examination continues, JAMB assures that improvements are on the horizon, with future plans to further address issues as Nigeria’s infrastructure develops.