JAMB News Today, Friday, April 25, 2025

The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) officially kicked off yesterday, April 24, across various centres in Nigeria. With over 2 million candidates participating this year, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken extra steps to ensure a smooth and secure exam process.

In today’s update, we bring you the latest developments from Day 2 of the exam, key updates from JAMB, reports from examination centres nationwide, and announcements that affect both candidates and the general public. From logistics and security deployments to new dates and arrangements for special candidates, here’s everything you need to know.

Over 2 Million Candidates Registered for 2025 UTME

According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, a total of 2,030,627 candidates are expected to sit for this year’s UTME. The board confirmed that 41,026 of these candidates are below the age of 16, raising fresh debates on age eligibility and admission guidelines.

JAMB has emphasized that all candidates must ensure they meet the minimum age requirement for university admission, which remains 16 years by September 30, 2025, except for special cases as previously clarified by the board.

JAMB Deploys Over 10,000 Supervisors Across 887 CBT Centres

To ensure a smooth and credible conduct of the 2025 UTME, JAMB has deployed over 10,000 officials across 887 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. This includes supervisors, technical officers, and independent monitors working to enforce compliance with JAMB rules and to tackle technical challenges in real-time.

JAMB spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that the board has also stationed backup teams and support staff to swiftly respond to emergencies, especially in centres with history of technical glitches.

501 Visually-Impaired Candidates to Sit UTME in Special Centres

JAMB has confirmed that 501 blind candidates will write the 2025 UTME on April 28 and 29 across 11 special centres nationwide. These candidates will take the same test as others but will be supported through specially designed formats, including Braille and Read-Aloud methods.

According to Professor Peter Okebukola, chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), JAMB continues to lead in inclusive education across Africa. He noted that eligible candidates will also receive on-site registration refunds, accommodation, meals, and mobility support—courtesy of JAMB’s commitment to accessibility and fairness.

Kano and Enugu Cancel April Sanitation for JAMB Exams

In support of smooth UTME conduct, the governments of Kano and Enugu States have cancelled their respective monthly environmental sanitation exercises for April.

Kano’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, said the suspension was to prevent movement restrictions that could hinder candidates from reaching their CBT centres. Similarly, Enugu State announced the cancellation to allow full participation in the exam scheduled for Saturday, April 26.

Both states encouraged residents to still maintain hygiene and support a clean environment despite the official cancellation.

Some Candidates Miss Exams Over Reprint and Location Confusion

Despite ongoing awareness, several candidates have reportedly missed their UTME due to failure to reprint their exam slips or confusion about exam locations. Reports gathered across various CBT centres show that some students arrived late or showed up at the wrong venues.

In some instances, candidates who didn’t reprint were unaware of updated schedules or centre changes. JAMB has emphasized that all candidates must reprint their slips via the official portal to know their exact exam date, time, and centre.

Candidates are urged to double-check their slips and locate their centres a day before their scheduled exam to avoid last-minute issues.

System Failures and Rescheduling at Some Centres

There were reports of technical issues and system malfunctions at a few CBT centres, leading to delays and rescheduling for some candidates. In centres like IMSU (Imo State University) and others, candidates reported waiting several hours without being able to take their exams.

JAMB officials at affected centres advised students to return for reprinting to get updated details about their rescheduled exams. The board has also assured that affected candidates will not be penalized and will be rescheduled promptly.

Candidates facing such issues are encouraged to stay calm, follow instructions from the centre officials, and monitor JAMB’s updates via the portal.

Over 2 Million Candidates Registered, 10,000 Supervisors Deployed

The 2025 UTME has officially commenced with over 2,030,000 candidates registered nationwide. To ensure smooth coordination and prevent malpractice, JAMB has deployed more than 10,000 supervisors and officials to oversee activities across 887 CBT centres in the country.

Additionally, 501 visually impaired candidates are set to sit for the exam in 11 specialized centres, with JAMB providing full support including choice of Braille or Read-Aloud options, accommodation, meals, and other logistics.

The Board reiterated that all examination towns were selected by the candidates themselves and that no candidate was posted outside their chosen area, addressing recent concerns about exam centre allocations.

Candidate Reactions and Experiences from Day 1

Feedback from Day 1 of the 2025 UTME shows a mixed experience across centres. While many candidates reported smooth sessions, others shared concerns about delays, system glitches, and overcrowding.

“We waited almost five hours before starting the exam in my centre. Many were already tired before it began.”
— Candidate, Icon Online Centre, Osun

“My exam was supposed to be at 6:30 am, but no official was present even by 7:30 am. It caused a lot of panic.”
— Candidate, Delta State

“English and Biology were okay, though some questions were tricky. I’m glad I prepared.”
— Candidate, Abuja

JAMB has continued to urge candidates to report any irregularities through their official channels and reassured that those affected by system failures will be rescheduled without penalties.