As candidates prepare for the 2025 UTME, a painful experience from the 2024 exam has become a serious reminder of just how strict JAMB is with exam time and centre entry rules.
A 26-year-old candidate, Olagunju Afeez Bolaji, went viral in April 2024 after sharing how he was denied access to his exam centre in Oyo town, despite arriving at 7:30 a.m. for his morning paper.
“Please Consider Me for Reschedule,” Afeez Begged JAMB
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Afeez explained that he had travelled overnight from Ila in Osun State to get to the CBT centre in Oyo. Unfortunately, a heavy downpour that morning delayed him slightly, and even though he arrived at 7:30am, he was not allowed to enter.
“Please I got to CBT 7:30, I was not allowed. Due to heavy downpour this morning in Oyo town. I travelled all along from Osun State to Oyo town overnight just to meet up in the morning. Please consider me… for reschedule,” he wrote.
Afeez also shared a copy of his JAMB slip as proof, showing his scheduled time and location.
What This Means for 2025 UTME Candidates
This incident highlights something every candidate must take seriously: for morning sessions, arriving at 7:30 a.m. is already late. Even if your slip says 7:00 a.m., it’s advised to arrive at least one hour earlier — ideally by 6:00 a.m. or even before.
JAMB officials typically begin biometric verification and candidate arrangement long before the scheduled time. Once that process is complete and the gate is closed, no one is allowed in, no matter how genuine your excuse may be.
Whether it’s rain, traffic, or long-distance travel, JAMB is firm on one thing: “Late is late.”
Reactions from the Public
After Afeez’s post, many Nigerians expressed sympathy, while others criticized the strictness of JAMB’s morning exam process. Some also shared similar stories of arriving minutes late and being locked out. One user said:
“What’s so wrong with him taking JAMB at his age? You don’t know how life has treated him. JAMB should at least reschedule those who arrived by 7:30.”
Others called on JAMB to reform its policies to avoid such situations where sincere efforts end in disappointment.
Final Advice to All JAMB 2025 Candidates
If you’re writing your UTME in the first session (7:00 a.m. paper), plan like your future depends on your arrival time—because it truly does.
- Arrive at your centre by 6:00 a.m. or earlier.
- Visit your centre a day before if you’re unfamiliar with the location.
- Avoid last-minute travel. Stay close to the centre if you can.
- Don’t assume they’ll “understand.” JAMB rules are strict, and excuses don’t work at the gate.
Don’t let months of preparation go to waste because of a 30-minute delay. Learn from Afeez’s experience and do everything you can to be early, calm, and ready on exam day.