UTME 2025 begins without major hitches, candidates say experience better than in previous years
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
More than two million candidates are writing the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for them to get admission to universities and other tertiary institutions.
Every year, more candidates write the UTME than are spaces to admit them in universities. That compels some candidates to opt for polytechnics or Colleges of Education but many are still left out.
JAMB disclosed that more than 2,030,627 candidates who registered for the UTME are writing it at over 784 Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The examination runs from April 24 to May 5.
It begins at a CBT centre with a 6.30am session after biometric screening at 6.00am followed by system logins.
LEADERSHIP newspaper reports that the exercise was overwhelmingly smooth at some CBT centres in the FCT on Friday but there were minor hitches at the start at some centres, particularly over online connection, which technical officers promptly addressed tackled.
The process was orderly and peaceful at Government Secondary School, Lugbe where candidates who began arriving at 6.00am for the 7.00am session were screened at the gate.
Parents and relatives who accompanied candidates were kept at a distance and not allowed entry into the school premises manned by internal security guards and officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Kelvin, a candidate who arrived at 6.30 am, confirmed that the accreditation went smoothly. “My mother drove me here as early as 6.00 am. I did my accreditation before 7.00 am, and everything is going smoothly,” he said.
At the Sascon International School CBT centre, candidates reported a smooth and hitch-free experience.
Emmanuel Ezegwu, a repeat candidate, said the exam is easier than in previous years: “This centre is better. I wrote this exam last year, and I can tell you that the experience this year is commendable. There are no issues as far as I am concerned.”
Vitoria Bilala, an 18-year-old first timer, described her experience as good, despite feeling a little nervous during the exam.
She said: “I commend how they organise the exam because there were few or no hitches at this centre. At first, I had a technical problem, but I immediately called the supervisor, and it was resolved. I felt nervous because it was my first time writing this exam.”
The centre supervisor, Emmanuel Adaji, disclosed that 11 candidates were absent out of 200 scheduled for the centre and late candidates prompted rescheduling some exams.
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