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Tag: JAMB

  • WAEC, NECO to adopt CBT for exams 2026

    WAEC, NECO to adopt CBT for exams 2026

    The Federal Government has directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to adopt full Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for all their examinations by 2026.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the monitoring of the ongoing exams alongside JAMB officials, in Bwari on Monday.

    More than 2 million candidates registered for the ongoing examination in more than 800 centres across the country.

    Alausa revealed that both the WAEC and NECO would start administering their objective papers via CBT effective this November.

    According to him, subsequently adopting the CBT for the essay and objective components would commence fully by May/June 2026.

    ”If JAMB can successfully conduct CBT exams for more than 2.2 million candidates, WAEC and NECO can do the same.

    “We are going to get WAEC and NECO to also start their objective exam on CBT.

    “By 2026 exams which will come up in May/June, both the objectives and the essay will be fully on CBT. That is how we can eliminate exam malpractices.”

    Alausa also disclosed that a committee is currently reviewing examination standards nationwide, with recommendations expected next month.

    Earlier, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, while speaking on the early schedule of the exams, clarified that the board’s UTME exams had always begun at 8:00 a.m.

    Oloyede said that candidates were only expected to be on ground by 6:30 a.m., to enable them to get accredited before the exams.

    He dismissed complaints about early arrival times, noting that it was necessary to screen candidates before exams begin.

    “We have always started our exams at 8 o’clock. The first session is 8 o’clock, second session 10:30, third session, 1 p.m, and fourth session 3:30p.m.

    Oloyede also debunked claims of candidates being posted to centres they did not choose, stating that investigations showed no such cases happened.

    He confirmed that more than 1.6 million out of 2.03 million registered candidates had completed their exams, with about 50,000 remaining.

    The registrar further revealed that more than 40 candidates had been arrested for malpractice, including impersonation and attempting to smuggle out exam questions with hidden cameras.

    He added that of the registered candidates, more than 41,000 were underage.

  • What an unintelligent response – Jamb slammed over response to Peter Obi’s criticism of exam schedules

    What an unintelligent response – Jamb slammed over response to Peter Obi’s criticism of exam schedules

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has come under criticisms over its response to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi over the early resumption time for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    TheNewsGuru reports that this comes after the former Anambra governor via the microblogging platform on Sunday condemned reports of candidates who were made to travel to examination centers as early as 6:30 am despite security concerns.

    The presidential candidate described the situation as “reckless,” citing incidents of accidents and missing candidates, and blamed it on what he called Nigeria’s inadequate investment in education.

    He said, “Setting exams for vulnerable teenagers as early as 6:00 AM while transporting them across far-flung locations is reckless.

    “Already, reports are emerging of students getting into accidents and losing their young lives, some going missing, and many more being subjected to unnecessary trauma. Who takes responsibility when a 15- or 16-year-old child disappears or is harmed while trying to access their right to education?”

    Reacting, the exam body clarified that the early arrival of candidates was necessary to prevent late-coming, which could disrupt the exercise.

    In a post on its official X account, JAMB wrote, “Your Excellency, I must assert that our examination is scheduled to commence at 8:00am, not 6:00 am. While verification and other clearance processes begins at 6:30am , it is imperative that candidates are afforded adequate time to settle in before the exam begins.”

    The statement added, “Given the tendencies often observed among Nigerians to arrive late when a start time is set without space for eventuality, this structured timeline is essential to ensure that all candidates are properly prepared and can perform to the best of their abilities.”

    However, the response of Jamb to former presidential candidate, Obi did not sit well with many who called out the examination body for laying emphasis on the same claim such as Peter Obi.

    How Nigerians reacted:

    One user comment: “The person handling that jamb account that responded to PO.They should review his jamb results. Cos what is the difference between what PO said and what his saying.”

    Another user, rubydennis2090 added, wrote: “It didn’t break, it divided into two. What’s the difference between what Peter Obi wrote and what you’re writing? Do you start by 6:30am or not?”

    iam_mztonia wrote: “For someone doing masters or phd verification won’t start at 6:30am. Student should be able to rest their head before writing an exam, I don’t see why jamb can’t start verification by 8am and exam by 10am. I rember travelling to Sango ifo with my dad years back from Ikorodu.”

    themeatvilla wrote: “Jamb is crazy… Is the screening at 6:30am not part of the exams preconditions.”

    _charles.jnr wrote: Not everything requires defending. JAMB! Do the needful.Obi made a valid point—JAMB needs to call for a stakeholders’ engagement to see how they can improve their exams to make them safer and better for these teenagers.

    biyondstudios wrote: AbI ori jamb daru, verification starts by 6:30 am and each centers have hundreds of students, most of these students love very far from that center where you posted them, what time do u expect them to leave thier respective homes, ENKR

  • JAMB respond to reports of candidates posted outside chosen examination towns

    JAMB respond to reports of candidates posted outside chosen examination towns

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned the public against spreading the falsehood that it assigns candidates to examination centres outside their  chosen towns.

    This was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Saturday by the Board’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

    Benjamin stated that JAMB recognises the importance of convenience for candidates and ensures they sit for their examinations in locations of their choice among available CBT centres.

    According to him, every candidate has the prerogative to choose their examination town, and JAMB assigns them to a centre within that town.

    “It is our firm belief that some parents are continually being deceived, misled, and defrauded by their wards and some secondary school proprietors who perpetuate this falsehood.

    “Let it be unequivocally clear: at the time of registration, candidates have the right to select their preferred examination town. JAMB subsequently assigns them to a centre within the selected town.

    “The baseless claim that candidates are posted to towns different from their choices is erroneous, malicious, and aimed solely at tarnishing the Board’s reputation. It does not happen.

    “The Board therefore challenges this false yet popular narrative by offering a handsome financial reward to anyone who can provide authentic proof of even one candidate who has been posted outside their chosen town,” he said.

    Benjamin added that, to ensure transparency and to avoid “being a judge in one’s own case”, such proof should, within the next 96 hours, be sent to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) WhatsApp number: 08056003030.

    According to him, this process will ensure that an independent body can confirm the evidence, deliver the reward if appropriate, or exonerate the Board once and for all from the recurring campaign of calumny.

    “Anyone who finds no fault in airlines requesting air travellers to arrive at the airport two hours before departure should equally find no fault in encouraging candidates to arrive at CBT centres 90 minutes before the commencement of examinations for preliminary verification.

    “Many parents who expect candidates to spend no more than two hours for a two-hour examination are evidently unaware of the necessary preliminary processes,” he added.

    Benjamin appealed to the public to grant agencies the benefit of the doubt and to trust that they exist to serve the public interest in the best possible manner.

    He maintained that JAMB remains committed to the public good at all times.

    “On a lighter note, another example of gullibility was demonstrated by a female UTME candidate who refused to attempt any questions during her examination this morning. This was because she was complying with her grandfather’s instruction to do nothing and wait for miraculous intervention,” he explained.

    He advised candidates against harbouring superstitious and baseless dreams of reaping where they have not sown.

  • Impersonation: JAMB delists four CBT centres in ongoing UTME

    Impersonation: JAMB delists four CBT centres in ongoing UTME

    …nabs 27 impersonators

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said it has arrested 27 impersonators in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    JAMB noted the 27 impersonators apprehended have been handed over to the Nigerian police for immediate prosecution.

    The board also announced that it delisted four Computer-Based Test, CBT centres that had failed to meet the stringent technical standards required for the UTME.

    JAMB named the delisted centres as Adventure Associate, Behind Sheshe Supermarket, Off Hadejia Road, Kano, Kano State; Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano, Kano State; Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 2, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal and Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 1, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal.

    “While JAMB commends the 883 centres that have demonstrated exceptional performance, it unequivocally warns that any centre which failed the ethical or technical standards , regardless of ownership, will be blacklisted,” JAMB said in a statement on Friday by its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin.

    “Candidates who were previously scheduled to take their exams at the delisted centres are urged to urgently reprint their examination notification slips to access their new centres and rescheduled dates. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but we will not tolerate excuses by candidates who fail to reprint their slip to get their new schedules,” it said.

    The board revealed that “As of Friday, 25th April, 2025, over 900,000 candidates have successfully completed the UTME out of the 2,083,600 registered for the 2025 examination.“

    Meanwhile, JAMB said it has been alerted to the unauthorised restrictions imposed on candidates wearing hijabs in its Caleb University Centre, “and swift action has been taken to address this unilateral decision, which has been categorically condemned by the Vice-Chancellor of the university.”

    “This misguided action was the result of an overzealous security officer.

    “We extend our sincere apologies to the affected candidates and commend the leadership of both the centre and the university for their prompt intervention, which ensured that no candidate suffered undue disadvantage,” it said.

  • JAMB delists 4 centres, arrests 27 impersonators in ongoing UTME

    JAMB delists 4 centres, arrests 27 impersonators in ongoing UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted four Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Centres and arrested 27 impersonators during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by the Board’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

    He explained that the CBT centres were delisted for failing to meet the stringent technical standards required for the ongoing UTME.

    Benjamin said the delisted centres include Adventure Associate, located behind Sheshe Supermarket off Hadejia Road, Kano, Kano State, and Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano, Kano State.

    Also delisted are Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd., Centre 2, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal, and Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd., Centre 1, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal.

    “While JAMB commends the 883 centres that have demonstrated exceptional performance, it unequivocally warns that any centre failing to meet ethical or technical standards, regardless of ownership, will be blacklisted,” he stated.

    Benjamin urged candidates who were previously scheduled to take their exams at the delisted centres to urgently reprint their examination notification slips to access their new centres and rescheduled dates.

    “We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but we will not tolerate excuses from candidates who fail to reprint their slips.

    “As of Friday, April 25, 2025, more than 900,000 candidates had successfully completed the UTME, out of the 2,083,600 registered for the 2025 examinatio,” he added.

    In a related development, Benjamin reported the arrest of 27 impersonators, who were handed over to the Nigeria Police for immediate prosecution.

    Addressing the Caleb University incident, he confirmed that the Board had been alerted to the unauthorised restrictions placed on candidates wearing hijabs.

    He assured that swift action had been taken, with the Vice-Chancellor of the university condemning the actions of an overzealous security officer.

    “We extend our sincere apologies to the affected candidates and commend the leadership of both the centre and the university for their prompt intervention, which ensured that no candidate suffered undue disadvantage,” he added.

  • 501 visually impaired candidates to write 2025 UTME – Okebukola

    501 visually impaired candidates to write 2025 UTME – Okebukola

    No fewer than 501 visually impaired candidates are set to sit for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at 11 designated centres across the country.

    Chairman of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a press briefing.

    Speaking ahead of the examination for visually impaired and other special needs candidates, he said the examination was scheduled to hold from April 28 to 29, with candidates being tested in 20 subjects.

    “The candidates take the same test papers as their sighted counterparts. Standards are not lowered in any form,” he said.

    Okebukola described the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, as a major advocate for equal access to higher education across Africa.

    He further revealed that this year, 84 visually impaired candidates who possessed at least five O’Level credits in their SSCE would have their UTME registration fees refunded at the examination venue.

    On the distribution of candidates and centre coordinators — many of whom are former Vice-Chancellors (VC), Okebukola said Lagos had the highest number of registered candidates (107), with Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, former VC of Lagos State University, as coordinator.

    Kano follows with 91 candidates, coordinated by Prof. Muhammad Bello, former VC of Bayero University, Kano.

    Other centres and their coordinators include:Abuja (41) – Prof. Sunday Ododo; and Ado-Ekiti (32), Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye.

    He also highlighted that in 2024, approximately 70 per cent of JEOG candidates — including the visually impaired and albinos — secured admission into tertiary institutions such as universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

    These candidates were admitted into courses including law, special education, computer science, medicine and surgery, various education disciplines, mass communication, civil engineering, pharmacy, nursing science, and business administration.

    Institutions that offered admission include: Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna;Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Abia State University, Uturu; and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

    Others were, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo and Nile University, Abuja.

    The other institutions included, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan University of Ilorin and many others across the country.

    It will be recalled that in 2017, Oloyede, established the JEOG with Okebukola as chairman to oversee the fair and inclusive conduct of the UTME for visually impaired and special needs candidates.

  • BREAKING: JAMB changes commencement date for UTME 2025

    BREAKING: JAMB changes commencement date for UTME 2025

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says its 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will begin on April 24 and not April 25 as earlier announced.

    JAMB spokesman, Dr Fabian Benjamin, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    Benjamin said the adjustment had been made to accommodate essential commitments by the board and its partner agencies.

    He said that prospective candidates could now print their notification slips, which contain vital information regarding their exam details.

    He added that the notification slip indicates the examination date, venue (centre), time and other essential details necessary for success of the examination

    “Candidates are encouraged to print their notification slips beginning from today, April 19.

    “This will provide ample time for logistics arrangements to access their assigned centres within the chosen examination towns.

    “To print the notification slip, candidates should visit www.jamb.gov.ng, click on “2025 UTME Slip Printing”, enter registration number and click on “Print Examination Slip”, he said.

    The spokesman advised candidates to familiarise themselves with their examination centres after printing their slips, at least one or two days before the examination date.

    According to him, this preparation will help ensure a smooth experience on the examination day.

    Benjamin further said that candidates would be assigned to centres within their chosen examination towns as no candidate would be placed in a centre outside their selected town.

  • UTME: JAMB clarifies on centres

    UTME: JAMB clarifies on centres

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that candidates are not restricted to taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) within their state of registration.

    The Public Communication Advisor of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “They have the flexibility to register anywhere in the country and select any town nationwide from any registration point.

    “Computer-Based Test Centres are clustered according to towns for convenience, allowing candidates to choose the town where they wish to take the examination,” he said.

    His clarification comes ahead of the April 25 commencement of the 2025 UTME across the country.

    Benjamin said that, “For example, if a candidate selects Garki as their examination town, they must take the exam in a centre within the town and cannot be posted outside the town”.

    He said that those who had registered for the UTME and selected examination towns outside their state of registration “are indeed permitted to sit for the examination in their chosen towns”.

    “Candidates have the freedom to select their examination town from any location across the country, regardless of their state of registration.

    “For instance, a candidate can register in Lagos and opt to take the examination in Sokoto or any other location.

    “This flexibility is designed to accommodate candidates’ preferences and ensure they can choose a location that is convenient for them,” he said.

  • UTME: No candidate’ll sit for examination outside state of registration – JAMB

    UTME: No candidate’ll sit for examination outside state of registration – JAMB

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has assured that no candidate would sit for the board’s examination outside their state of registration.

    Dr Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Advisor, JAMB, gave the assurance in a telephone interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Benjamin explained that some candidates, who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) outside their state of registration and residence, were sent to the available mock centres closer to their areas.

    He said this was because not all the Computer Based Test (CBT) centres were available to conduct the mock examination, adding that however, all registered centres would be available for the main exercise.

    “If centres for mock in Abuja are filled up and there were available centres in Nassarawa State, candidates will be sent there.

    According to him, this is not likely to happen in the main examination because there will be more centres conducting the main examination and so, no candidate will be sent outside their state of residence.

    He also explained that early registration of the UTME also determined how close a candidates’ centre would be to him or her, adding that once a closer centre was already filled up, the candidate may be assigned any available centre within the state.

    Benjamin had earlier in a statement on Sunday, said that the board acknowledged the delays and other challenges experienced by some candidates during the examination and regrets any inconvenience caused.

    The challenges, the spokesperson had said, were anticipated due to the new features implemented to enhance the overall conduct of the main UTME.

    “The mock examination serves as a trial version of the UTME, allowing the board to test new innovations while helping candidates familiarise themselves with the CBT environment.

    “Over the years, this initiative has successfully achieved its objectives, addressing noted lapses and equipping candidates with valuable experience for the main examination.

    “JAMB urges all candidates to continue making the necessary sacrifices to ensure a better examination experience that effectively serves their interests,” he said.

    The 2025 UTME is scheduled to begin on April 25.

  • Finally, JAMB releases 2025 mock UTME results

    Finally, JAMB releases 2025 mock UTME results

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has finally released the results of the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted on Thursday, April 10.

    JAMB disclosed this in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, noting that candidates can check their results by sending “MOCKRESULT” via SMS to either 55019 or 66019 using the phone number they registered with for the examination.

    According to the board, the mock UTME is optional and aims to test its yearly innovations while also giving candidates an opportunity to experience the computer-based test environment ahead of the main examination.

    The statement read, “A total of 200,115 candidates initially expressed interest in participating; however, two candidates later withdrew, resulting in 200,113 registered candidates.

    “Of those registered, 73,844 candidates were absent on the day of the examination, and 88 candidates failed the biometric verification screening.

    “Consequently, 126,181 candidates successfully sat for the examination, and results for 115,735 of these candidates are now available for viewing. Additionally, 10,446 results are still being processed and will be released soon.”

    JAMB also acknowledged delays faced by some candidates during the mock exam and expressed regret over the inconvenience.

    It explained that the disruptions were due to new features introduced to improve the upcoming main UTME.

    The board urged candidates to continue supporting its efforts, adding that the mock exam remains a key part of its strategy to enhance the UTME process and better prepare candidates.

    “The mock examination serves as a trial version of the UTME, allowing the Board to test new innovations while helping candidates familiarise themselves with the CBT environment.

    “Over the years, this initiative has successfully achieved its objectives, addressing noted lapses and equipping candidates with valuable experience for the main examination,” the statement added.