The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration continues to generate discussions nationwide as candidates and parents face various challenges, while the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) implements new policies and measures to improve the process. From the growing number of underage applicants to technical delays and exam malpractice crackdowns, this latest update for February 16, 2025, provides key developments surrounding UTME registration and examination.
This update covers the latest registration statistics, JAMB’s response to exam malpractice, complaints from parents and candidates regarding registration hurdles, and the board’s stance on underage candidates seeking admission. Here’s everything you need to know about the current state of JAMB 2025 registration and examinations.
2025 UTME: JAMB Rules Out Registration Extension, Cites Smooth Process
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ruled out the possibility of extending the registration deadline for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), stating that the process has been smooth, efficient, and ahead of schedule.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this declaration on Friday while monitoring registration exercises across various Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers in Lagos.
Why JAMB Will Not Extend UTME Registration
JAMB set a five-week registration period from February 3 to March 3, 2025, targeting approximately 2 million candidates with a daily registration goal of 60,000 candidates.
As of Friday afternoon, 782,027 candidates had successfully registered across 856 accredited CBT centers nationwide. Among them, 11,553 were underage candidates, below the official minimum admission age of 16 years.
Oloyede expressed satisfaction with the registration progress, describing it as the most seamless, fast, and efficient in JAMB’s history.
**“Previously, we experienced network failures, power outages, and other technical issues. But this year, everything has been smooth, and we expect it to continue this way until the end.
“As of this afternoon, we have already registered 782,027 candidates within just 10 days—less than two weeks out of the five-week period. We are on track to complete the process long before the deadline.”**
Record-Breaking Daily Registration Numbers
Oloyede highlighted that JAMB is exceeding its daily registration targets, registering over 80,000 candidates per day, with the figure approaching 100,000 on some days.
**“Even on Thursday, we registered close to 100,000 candidates across the country, which means we will complete the process long before our deadline.
“There will be no need for an extension of the registration period.”**
JAMB’s Policy on Underage and Trial Candidates
While the minimum age for university admission remains 16, JAMB has made exceptions for exceptionally gifted underage candidates, allowing them to register as long as they can prove their academic capability.
“There are always exceptional students—perhaps one in a million. No matter how few they are, we should not close the door on them, which is why we allow them to register.”
Similarly, JAMB permits candidates who are not yet ready for university admission due to incomplete O’Level results but wish to familiarize themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.
“So, we don’t deny such candidates the opportunity to register.”
Candidates Advised Against Extortion
Oloyede also warned candidates against falling victim to extortion by fraudulent agents, emphasizing that registration is strictly done at accredited CBT centers and candidates can register at any approved center nationwide.
With the 2025 UTME registration process running smoothly and exceeding expectations, JAMB remains firm on not extending the registration deadline and urges candidates to complete their registrations before the March 3 deadline.
Over 11,000 Underage Candidates Registered for 2025 UTME – JAMB Registrar
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that 11,553 underage candidates have already registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this in Lagos on Friday while inspecting approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, where candidates are currently being registered.
782,027 Candidates Registered So Far
According to Oloyede, a total of 782,027 candidates have been registered in the past 10 days, with underage candidates making up 11,553 of this figure.
**“Now, we have registered 782,027, and 11,553 of them are underage. So, you can see that as we are registering, the system is reporting from all over the country. Out of the expected two million candidates, we’re not yet at the 14th day.
“Monday will mark our 14th day. So, in two weeks, we would have completed about half of our registration process, and by that time, we expect to have over one million candidates registered. So far, everything has been smooth.”**
Oloyede further revealed that on Friday alone, 443 underage candidates were registered, adding that 18,813 candidates had successfully registered that morning.
Tracking Underage Candidates
The JAMB boss also highlighted the introduction of a new system to track and analyze underage candidates, which will help determine whether some of them are genuinely gifted students or simply victims of early parental pressure.
**“Today alone, we have 443 underage candidates, and out of the 18,813 registered this morning, 443 are underage. This year, we’ve introduced a system that allows us to identify and track underage candidates.
“This will help us understand their issues and even identify those who might be genuinely gifted but still underage.”**
Oloyede criticized the growing trend of parents registering their children too early, often under pressure or misconceptions about securing an early academic advantage.
“It has become a common thing now, where parents—whether mothers or fathers—are registering their underage children, sometimes due to pressure or other reasons.”
Technical Challenges and Delays in Registration
While inspecting the registration process, Oloyede addressed technical challenges and delays, stating that new measures have been implemented to ensure efficiency and security.
“You were here last year. Look around and see if you find any power outages, network failures, and so forth. I just heard recently that due to the technical measures put in place this year, things are a bit slow.”
Despite acknowledging the delays, Oloyede emphasized that the system was designed to be thorough, and the board is working to resolve any bottlenecks.
New Measures to Improve Candidate Engagement
To ensure candidates actively engage with the registration process, JAMB has introduced a mandatory reading period before a candidate can proceed.
**“What we do is that we put some safety valves into it. For example, for a candidate who is registered, we expect him to read certain rules.
“In the past, once he said, ‘I agree,’ the system would proceed immediately. But we have now put a time limit, forcing candidates to actually read the instructions before they can move forward.”**
Record-Breaking Registration Numbers
Despite the challenges, Oloyede praised the progress of the registration process, revealing that JAMB has recorded some of its highest daily registration numbers ever.
**“This is the first time that we have been registering 80,000-plus. Yesterday, we registered close to 100,000 candidates across the country.
“We initially budgeted for 60,000 registrations per day, but from the third day, we started recording between 80,000 and 90,000 per day. This means we will finish long before the deadline.”**
With the 2025 UTME registration ongoing, JAMB continues to monitor the process to ensure a smooth and transparent registration exercise while also addressing concerns over underage candidates and parental influence.
JAMB Blacklists Six CBT Officials for Exam Malpractice
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has blacklisted six Computer-Based Test (CBT) officials for their involvement in malpractice during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Monday while addressing journalists after inspecting CBT centers in Ilorin, Kwara State.
JAMB’s Zero-Tolerance for Exam Malpractice
Oloyede revealed that the blacklisted officials were engaged by JAMB from different institutions across Nigeria. Their offense involved blank registrations, a fraudulent act where candidates’ registration details are left incomplete, potentially enabling cheating during the exam.
“Six CBT officials engaged by JAMB from various institutions in the country have been blacklisted for life from participating in JAMB-conducted examinations,” Oloyede stated.
He warned that JAMB will continue to track the blacklisted individuals, even if they attain high-ranking positions in the education sector.
“We have their particulars, and we will be monitoring them wherever they go—even if they become professors or are appointed as Vice-Chancellors.”
Additionally, one senior university official is currently facing prosecution for admission-related fraud, while four others are under investigation and have been placed on JAMB’s watchlist.
Warnings to CBT Centres Engaging in Malpractice
Oloyede also disclosed that 10 institutions were caught conducting nighttime registrations, a violation of JAMB’s guidelines. These institutions have been cautioned and warned to desist from such practices.
He further prohibited CBT centers from keeping candidate registration templates, as this could be exploited for fraudulent activities.
2025 UTME Registration Figures So Far
As of Monday afternoon, JAMB had successfully registered 420,674 candidates for the 2025/2026 UTME examinations.
- 32,435 candidates registered on Monday alone (the 5th day of registration).
- 124,632 candidates have registered for the mock UTME.
- 331 candidates have registered for the trial testing (these candidates are not applying for admission in Nigerian universities but are taking the exam for experience).
- JAMB is expecting a total of two million candidates for the 2025 UTME.
Growing Concern Over Underage Candidates
Oloyede also raised concerns about the rising number of underage candidates, revealing that 4,997 candidates below the age of 16 had already registered as of Monday afternoon.
He criticized parents who push their children into early university education, calling it a form of social pressure and status display.
“You can see how we’re deceiving ourselves in this country. Before, the number of underage candidates would be around 300. Now, in just five days, we have 4,996 underage registrants. By the end of today, there will be more than 5,000.”
He blamed parents who misdirect their children, stating that many simply want to decorate their CVs with their children’s academic achievements.
Underage Candidates Must Prove Their Intelligence
JAMB, however, allows underage candidates to sit for UTME under strict conditions. They are required to sign an indemnity form, agreeing to meet up with the academic expectations of their claimed intelligence. If they fail to meet up, they could face sanctions.
Monitoring of CBT Centers and Security Support
During his tour, Oloyede visited several CBT centres, including:
- Kwara State College of Education
- Al-Hikmah University
- Socrates College
- Matrix CBT Centre (Pipeline Road, Tanke, Ilorin)
- University of Ilorin CBT Centre
After inspecting the centers, he expressed satisfaction with the ongoing 2025/2026 UTME registration process, stating that it was progressing smoothly.
**“Going around, I’m very proud of those in the field—CBT centers, my staff, and everyone involved. I think it’s better by far. People know we won’t accept anything less than the standard, and they’ve done very well.
“We also thank security agencies for their support; they’ve assisted us greatly.”**
JAMB continues to maintain strict oversight of CBT centers nationwide, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and integrity in the UTME registration and examination process.
JAMB Warns Against Illegal Registration Centres as 1,021 Candidates Register in Jigawa
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning against illegal registration centres, urging candidates to only register at approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to avoid complications during the 2025/2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Monday while addressing journalists after inspecting CBT centres in Ilorin, Kwara State.
JAMB Blacklists Six CBT Officials Over Malpractice
Oloyede disclosed that six CBT officials have been blacklisted for life for engaging in fraudulent blank registration practices during the ongoing UTME registration.
“Six CBT individuals engaged by JAMB from various institutions in the country have been blacklisted for life from participating in JAMB-conducted examinations,” he said.
The registrar further warned that the blacklisted individuals will remain under surveillance, even if they attain leadership roles in educational institutions.
“We have their particulars, and we will be monitoring them wherever they go—even if they become professors or are appointed as Vice-Chancellors.”
Additionally, one senior university official is being prosecuted for admission-related fraud, while four others are currently under investigation and have been placed on JAMB’s watchlist.
Crackdown on Night-Time Registrations and Unapproved CBT Centres
JAMB also revealed that 10 institutions were caught registering candidates at night, which violates the board’s guidelines. These institutions have been cautioned and warned against repeating such infractions.
Furthermore, Oloyede stressed that CBT centres must not store or retain candidates’ registration templates, as such actions could lead to data breaches and examination malpractice.
JAMB Registration Update: Over 420,000 Candidates Registered
As of Monday afternoon, JAMB had recorded a total of 420,674 registrations for the 2025/2026 UTME.
- 32,435 candidates registered on Monday alone (the 5th day of registration).
- 124,632 candidates have registered for the mock UTME.
- 331 candidates have registered for the trial testing, meaning they are not applying for admission in Nigerian universities but are taking the exam for experience.
- JAMB has set a target of two million candidates for this year’s UTME.
Concerns Over Rising Number of Underage Candidates
Oloyede raised concerns about the growing number of underage candidates (those who will be less than 16 years old by October 2025).
He revealed that 4,997 underage candidates had registered as of Monday afternoon and criticized parents who push their children into early university education.
**“Before, the number of underage candidates would be around 300. Now, in just five days, we have 4,996 underage registrants. By the end of today, there will be more than 5,000.
“Many of these parents have misdirected their children. They want to use their children’s early education to decorate their CVs.”**
Mandatory Indemnity Form for Underage Candidates
JAMB has not banned underage candidates from sitting for UTME, but they must sign an indemnity form stating that they meet the required academic ability or risk being sanctioned.
JAMB in Jigawa: 1,021 Candidates Registered
In Jigawa State, 1,021 candidates have successfully registered for the 2025 UTME, marking significant participation from the state.
Oloyede, while monitoring CBT centres, commended the smooth registration process across the country and thanked security agencies for their cooperation.
Monitoring of CBT Centres Continues
During his inspection, Oloyede visited several CBT centres, including:
- Kwara State College of Education
- Al-Hikmah University
- Socrates College
- Matrix CBT Centre (Pipeline Road, Tanke, Ilorin)
- University of Ilorin CBT Centre
He expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the registration process, stating that the exercise was progressing smoothly.
**“Going around, I’m very proud of those in the field—CBT centers, my staff, and everyone involved. I think it’s better by far.
“People know we won’t accept anything less than the standard, and they’ve done very well. We also thank security agencies for their support; they’ve assisted us greatly.”**
JAMB continues to monitor CBT centres nationwide to ensure compliance, fairness, and integrity in the 2025 UTME registration process.
JAMB to Penalize Applicants Who Falsely Claim Underage Status
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned that applicants who wrongly claim underage status during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration will face penalties.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, issued the warning while inspecting Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Lagos. He emphasized that candidates falsely claiming to be underage are wasting the board’s resources and will be sanctioned.
Over 11,500 Underage Candidates Registered So Far
Oloyede revealed that, as of yesterday, a total of 780,202 candidates had registered for the 2025 UTME, with 11,512 of them claiming to be underage.
**“When you are expecting 30 to 40 underage candidates and suddenly find over 11,500, you can see the deceit.
“Today alone, we have registered 18,813 candidates, and out of that number, 443 are underage. This year, we introduced a system to monitor them, identify their issues, and distinguish genuinely gifted candidates from those falsely claiming underage status.”**
Global Standards for Gifted Candidates
Oloyede criticized the high number of underage applicants, stating that true exceptional students are extremely rare worldwide.
**“By global standards, truly gifted candidates are about one in a million. People often compare us to America or Canada, but how many of these exceptional students do they have?
“We want to identify and support truly gifted candidates, but not these fake figures people parade. Many of them cannot even score 200 out of 400, yet their parents enroll them early, pushing them through primary and secondary school in a rush.”**
Parents Accused of Manipulating Age for Admission
The JAMB Registrar blamed some parents for manipulating their children’s ages, sometimes forging certificates or forcing them into early education.
**“Some parents have no time for their children, so they register them underage in primary school, push them through SS2 prematurely, or even buy certificates to get them into university early.
“Those we officially recognize as candidates are 16 years and above. These underage applicants are not regarded as candidates until they prove their academic ability.”**
Sanctions for False Age Claims
JAMB has vowed to penalize applicants who falsely claim underage status and fail to meet academic expectations.
“If we find out that you cannot prove your claimed age, we will impose penalties on you. It would have been better for such candidates to wait for their time instead of wasting our resources.”
The board maintains that genuinely gifted underage candidates will still be considered, but only those who can meet the academic standards will be granted admission.
JAMB: Over 700,000 Candidates Registered for 2025 UTME in 10 Days
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that over 700,000 candidates have registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) within the first 10 days of registration.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos while inspecting approved Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Breakdown of Registrations So Far
As of Friday, JAMB had recorded a total of 779,714 registered candidates. By the end of the day, the figure had risen to 780,202, with 11,512 of these applicants being underage.
“Today alone, 443 underage candidates were registered,” Oloyede stated.
JAMB’s Policy on Underage Candidates
The minimum admission age remains 16 years, but JAMB has made exceptions for exceptionally gifted underage candidates.
Oloyede clarified that underage applicants are not yet considered full candidates until they prove their academic ability.
“Underage candidates are those below 16 but exceptionally brilliant, typically aged 13 to 14. We identify a few such individuals, perhaps 30 to 50 across the country,” he explained.
He, however, warned against the misuse of this policy, emphasizing that only truly gifted children should take advantage of the opportunity.
“Those under 16 are applicants, not candidates. Only those 16 and above are regarded as candidates. Applicants must prove they meet the criteria, or penalties may apply. It would be better for them to wait, as they risk wasting their money.”
Free Registration for Some Candidates
Oloyede also disclosed that some candidates were registered for free under the trial testing category. However, they still had to pay N3,500 for CBT facilities and materials.
Breakdown of Fees for UTME Registration:
- N1,000 for a book
- N700 for CBT centre service
- N1,500 for the exam venue
- N300 as bank commission
“This totals N3,500, with JAMB taking nothing from them,” Oloyede stated.
Public Debate on Minimum Entry Age for Universities
The minimum age for admission into Nigerian universities has been a hot topic of discussion recently.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had earlier proposed setting the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions at 16 years.
JAMB has aligned with this stance but continues to allow exceptionally brilliant candidates below 16 to take the UTME.
With UTME registration still ongoing, JAMB continues to monitor the process to ensure fairness and transparency while addressing concerns over underage applicants and compliance with the minimum age requirement.
UTME 2025: Parents, Candidates Express Frustration Over Registration Challenges
As the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration continues, parents and candidates across Nigeria have expressed frustration over various challenges at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Since the exercise commenced on February 3, reports of overcrowding, power outages, network failures, extortion, and delays have surfaced from multiple states, leaving many candidates struggling to complete their registration.
JAMB’s Registration Adjustments and Initial Challenges
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had earlier shifted the registration start date from January 31 to implement key adjustments to its registration templates.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, explained that these changes were necessary due to:
- The suspension of certain law programmes at selected universities.
- The discovery of deceptive facilities used by some CBT centres to gain approval.
Despite these adjustments, many candidates and parents have reported chaotic conditions at registration centres.
Parents, Candidates Share Their Struggles
Several affected individuals took to social media to voice their concerns:
- Overcrowding & Profile Code Issues:
- Chibuogwu Nicodemus, Vice Principal of Rex Christus College, Kubwa, Abuja, reported that many students were unable to generate their profile codes, a mandatory step before registration.
- He noted that network failures lasting over five hours worsened the delays.
- Long Queues & Extortion:
- Simeon Ogoebulem, a parent, shared on Facebook how he had been assisting his daughter for five days, yet she had not been able to register.
- He described the hopelessness on the faces of students while security officers allegedly exploited the situation for bribes.
- Bribery Allegations at CBT Centres:
- X user, Toritsefe Jack, alleged that some registration centres in Ikorodu, Lagos, were taking bribes to allow some students jump the queue ahead of others.
- Another user, Phreety Mrs, described a similar situation in Calabar, where students were reportedly forced to pay ₦5,000 before being attended to.
- Limited Daily Registration Slots:
- In Abia and Kano, candidates reported waiting for days without success, as many CBT centres impose daily caps on the number of registrations.
- A Direct Entry applicant lamented that some centres only register five candidates per day.
- Security Concerns for Early Morning Registrations:
- Some parents, especially those with female candidates, voiced concerns about their children leaving home as early as 3 AM just to secure a spot in long queues at JAMB offices.
JAMB’s Response: Over 600,000 Candidates Registered
Despite these challenges, JAMB insists that the registration process is progressing smoothly.
JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said:
“We have registered 600,000 candidates. If people claim they are unable to register, then who are we registering? The registration process has not even reached a week. Every candidate who truly wants to register will eventually do so.”
JAMB Warns Against Nighttime Registrations
JAMB has also warned CBT centres against conducting nighttime registrations, citing safety and security concerns for candidates.
Authorities have promised to investigate claims of extortion and bribery at registration centres, urging affected candidates and parents to report such incidents to JAMB for swift action.
Calls for Urgent Action
With thousands of candidates still struggling to secure registration slots, parents and students are urging JAMB to:
- Increase the number of registration centres to reduce overcrowding.
- Resolve network and system failures to speed up the process.
- Monitor CBT centres more closely to prevent corruption and extortion.
As the 2025 UTME registration window remains open, JAMB faces growing pressure to address these concerns and ensure a smoother process for all applicants.
JAMB to Sanction Underage Applicants Abusing Registration Process – Oloyede
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has vowed to impose penalties on underage applicants who abuse the opportunity to register for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this declaration on Friday while monitoring registration activities across various centres in Lagos. He emphasized that the board’s special exemption for exceptionally gifted underage students was being misused by parents and candidates.
Over 11,500 Underage Candidates Registered
Oloyede revealed that out of 780,202 candidates registered so far, 11,512 were underage. He noted that JAMB initially expected only 30 to 40 truly gifted underage applicants, but the overwhelming numbers indicate that the system is being exploited.
“We will impose some other penalty on them. It would have been better for them to have waited for their time because they are going to waste their money,” Oloyede stated.
He further disclosed that on Friday alone, 443 underage applicants were registered, while 18,813 candidates completed their registration that morning.
No Plans for Registration Extension
Oloyede also ruled out any possibility of an extension for UTME registration, stressing that the process has been smooth and ahead of schedule.
**“There will be no extension because there is no problem. Students are registering, and we are surpassing our targets. This is the first time we have been registering over 80,000 candidates per day.
“Yesterday, we registered close to 100,000 candidates nationwide. Initially, we budgeted for 60,000 per day, but from the third day, we started 80,000 to 90,000 per day. This means we will finish long before the deadline,”** he said.
JAMB Registration Nears 1 Million Candidates
With JAMB expecting a total of two million candidates for the 2025 UTME, the board has already registered 782,000 applicants, with two weeks still left in the registration period.
Oloyede reassured that the registration process remains smooth, and by Monday (the 14th day of registration), over one million candidates are expected to have registered.
JAMB has continued to monitor CBT centres nationwide to ensure a transparent, efficient, and fair registration process, while also addressing concerns over age manipulation and system abuse by some parents and candidates.
Conclusion
As JAMB pushes forward with the 2025 UTME registration and examination preparations, several challenges persist, including technical delays, concerns over underage candidates, and reports of extortion at some registration centres. Despite these issues, JAMB has maintained that the process is progressing smoothly, with record-breaking daily registration numbers and measures in place to improve efficiency.
Candidates and parents are urged to remain patient, follow official guidelines, and report any fraudulent activities at CBT centres. As the registration window continues, all eyes are on JAMB to ensure a fair, transparent, and seamless examination process for all applicants. Stay updated for more developments as the UTME draws closer.