LIVE: JAMB 2025 UTME – Day 1 Updates (Thursday, April 24)

Real-time coverage of the first day of the 2025 JAMB exam across Nigeria

The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) officially begins today, Thursday, April 24.
Thousands of candidates across the country are sitting for the first batch of the exam, starting with the 6:30 AM session.

This live update page will provide ongoing reports throughout the day from CBT centres nationwide. We’ll be tracking everything — early arrival, biometric verification, login issues, centre-specific delays, and candidate reactions after each session.

Exam Summary – Day 1 (Thursday, April 24, 2025)

• First Exam Time: 6:30 AM
• Number of Sessions Per Day: 3 to 4 sessions (varies by centre)
• Examination Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Exam Period: April 24 – May 5, 2025
• Subjects: Four subjects per candidate (based on registration)
• Total Registered Candidates: Over 1.9 million

Live Updates – Thursday, April 24, 2025

5:00 AM – Early Arrivals at Centres Begin
Candidates started arriving at various CBT centres across the country as early as 5:00 AM. At most locations, they were directed to wait outside the gates while officials finalized setup and security procedures. Some centres allowed seated waiting; others kept candidates standing in queues.

6:00 AM – Biometric Verification Begins
At centres like UNIBEN ICT, Ibadan Polytechnic CBT Centre, and JAMB HQ, biometric verification began on time. Candidates were called in batches, with slips and ID checks done before fingerprint scanning. Reports suggest the process was smooth in most locations, although some smaller centres experienced brief network delays.

7:00 AM – Exam Begins in Multiple Centres
The first session of the 2025 UTME officially started in many CBT centres. In cities like Abuja, Enugu, and Benin, candidates confirmed that the exam systems were responsive, with minimal login delays. However, a few centres in Ogun and Osun States reported slight delays due to server initialization.

7:30 AM – Mixed Reports on Starting Time
While several centres started on time, a few candidates reported that their sessions didn’t begin exactly at 6:30 AM. Network setup and late server sync were common reasons given. Despite this, most candidates were already seated and ready.

Candidate Feedback – First Session (6:30 AM)

As the first batch of candidates begins to complete their exams, early feedback is starting to come in from different parts of the country. Some candidates shared smooth experiences, while others reported delays and technical issues at their centres.

Below are some of the first reactions gathered:

“We started around 6:45AM. The login took a few minutes, but everything else went fine. Use of English wasn’t bad.”
– Candidate, Garki CBT Centre, Abuja

“I got to the centre by 5:30AM. Biometric was smooth, but we didn’t start until 7:10AM. There were network issues at first.”
– Candidate, Abeokuta

“Biology questions were okay, but Physics was tough. I recognized many questions from past practice.”
– Candidate, UNIBEN Centre, Benin

“The CBT systems worked well. Our session started at 6:40AM. No issues.”
– Candidate, Kaduna

We’ll continue adding more verified feedback as more candidates finish their sessions. If you’ve completed your paper and want to help others, feel free to share what time you started, your centre name, and any technical observations.

Centre Reports by Location (Ongoing)

We’re receiving location-based updates from across Nigeria. Here’s a summary of what we’ve confirmed so far from different centres:

Abuja

• JAMB HQ CBT Centre: Smooth start, biometric verification began by 5:45AM. No major issues reported.
• Sascon International School: Minor login delay; candidates started at about 6:50AM.

Lagos

• YABATECH CBT Centre: Verification went smoothly; however, power was briefly interrupted but restored before the session started.
• Ikeja CBT Centre: Slight delay in candidate seating, but no technical faults reported.

Benin City

• UNIBEN ICT: Candidates seated early; exam began around 6:35AM. Clean process with no major complaints.
• Jofay CBT Centre: Reports of candidates still waiting to start as of 7:20AM.

Ogun State

• Federal Polytechnic Ilaro: System lag at login stage. The centre began biometric process late, causing exam start delay.
• Babcock University CBT: Login errors reported, though the situation was resolved within 15 minutes.

Owerri (Imo State)

• IMSU CBT Centre: Early setup and a smooth session. Exams began at 6:32AM. Candidates praised the organisation.

What to Expect in the 9:00 AM Session

As the first session continues to wrap up, candidates scheduled for the 9:00 AM batch should begin arriving at their centres now — if they haven’t already. Below are key things to note if your session is coming up:

1. Arrive Early
Most centres begin biometric verification at least 1 hour before the session begins. Early arrival helps you avoid the rush and gives time to settle in.

2. Bring Only What’s Required
You only need your reprinted examination slip and yourself. Phones, calculators, smartwatches, and bags are not allowed. Leave them outside or don’t bring them at all.

3. Expect Minor Delays
Not every centre starts exactly on time. Be calm. Some delays may happen during system checks or due to network issues, but JAMB has instructed all centres to handle technical problems swiftly.

4. Biometric First
Without biometric verification, you won’t be allowed to write. Make sure your fingers are clean and free of anything that may affect scanning.

5. Be Focused
Once you’re seated and the exam begins, concentrate. Don’t look around or panic. Most reports from the 6:30 AM session confirm that the questions are very doable for well-prepared candidates.

Stay With Us for More Updates

This live update page will continue to follow today’s exam activities across the country. We’ll be posting:

• Additional feedback from candidates in the 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM sessions
• Reports on technical challenges and how they were resolved
• Memory-based question recalls (if available)
• Centre-specific updates as they come in

If you just finished your own session or are waiting for the next, feel free to scroll through, drop your experience in the comments, and connect with other candidates.

You can also follow this page for updates on:

• Result release for the Day 1 session
• Official statements from JAMB
• Advice for candidates writing later this week

Good luck to everyone writing today. Stay calm, stay confident — and trust your preparation.