Candidates and parents across Nigeria have expressed frustration over the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, citing overcrowding, network failures, extortion, and delays at several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Despite the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) shifting the registration start date from January 31 to February 3 to implement adjustments, many candidates say the process has been stressful and chaotic.
Parents, Candidates Lament Delays and Poor Services
At various CBT centres, candidates have reported challenges such as power outages, network failures, and difficulties generating profile codes—a requirement for registration.
Chibuogwu Nicodemus, Vice Principal of Rex Christus College, Kubwa, Abuja, told Daily Trust that many students had been unable to register due to profile code issues.
“The majority of students in my school are yet to get their profile code. Each time they try to generate it, they are told that no record is found or that they will be contacted later,” he said.
He also highlighted a five-hour network failure that left many stranded.
Parents Share Frustration on Social Media
Many parents have taken to social media to express their frustration over the process:
- Simeon Ogoebulem shared on Facebook:
“Today, I woke up at 4 AM to take my daughter to a CBT centre for JAMB registration. This is the fifth day she’s been struggling to register. The place was already crowded when we arrived. Security men were more interested in collecting bribes than maintaining order.” - Toritsefe Jack on X (Twitter):
“In Ikorodu, Lagos, some centres are collecting bribes from latecomers to allow them to jump the queue, delaying students who arrived early.” - Phreety Mrs (Calabar):
“It’s worse here. My kids leave home at 3 AM to queue at JAMB’s office, and they are asked to pay N5,000 before they get attended to. Imagine young girls having to go through this daily.” - Ezra Kachi (Lagos State University CBT Centre):
“Officials left students outside in the sun because they couldn’t bribe their way in. JAMB needs to investigate.”
Limited Slots, Network Failures Affect Registration
In Kano, many candidates have spent days at registration centres without success due to network failures and limited daily slots.
A direct entry applicant said:
“I have been coming for three days without success. Many centres only register five direct entry candidates daily.”
Similarly, Fatima Garba noted:
“I have been coming here since Monday, yet I am still not registered. The network issues are frustrating.”
JAMB’s Response: Over 600,000 Candidates Already Registered
Responding to complaints, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said:
**“We have registered 600,000 candidates so far. If they are not registering, then who are we registering?
“The process has not even reached one week. Any candidate who truly wants to register will do so. They just need to be patient.”**
Bribery Allegations and Preferential Treatment at Centres
Several students in Lagos complained that some schools bribed CBT centre officials to prioritize their students.
Adewale Favor, who registered at a Lagos CBT centre, said:
**“I arrived early and had my PIN, but they were attending to students from certain schools first. Those who bribed their way in were served while we waited.
“I had to return at 6:30 AM the next day before I finally got registered at 9-10 PM.”**
JAMB’s Warning Against Nighttime Registration
Amid growing complaints, JAMB warned CBT centres against nighttime registration, citing security concerns.
In Abia, Ikechukwu Duru stated:
“We have been going to the CBT centre for a week, and each day we leave without being attended to. JAMB needs to intervene.”
Calls for JAMB to Improve Registration Process
Many candidates and parents urged JAMB to:
✔ Increase the number of CBT centres
✔ Fix network failures
✔ Ensure transparency to prevent bribery and extortion
✔ Improve security measures
With UTME registration ongoing, stakeholders hope that JAMB will address these issues to make the process smoother and stress-free for candidates.