The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has disclosed that the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has progressed with only minor disruptions nationwide.
Speaking during an inspection tour at the University of Ibadan CBT centre in Ibadan, Oloyede noted that the exercise has been largely hitch-free, with only a handful of centres encountering issues, mostly linked to electricity and minor technical glitches.
“Like any human activity, there will be challenges, but they have been minimal.
“Out of about 980 centres nationwide, we have recorded issues in only about 16 centres,” he said.
He revealed that more than 1.7 million candidates had successfully sat for the examination within the first three days, describing the overall conduct as impressive.
The registrar applauded the seamless coordination among stakeholders, including heads of tertiary institutions and other academic personnel serving as supervisors, which he described as critical to the success of the process.
Reacting to reports alleging that some candidates were kidnapped in connection with the examination, Oloyede urged caution against spreading unverified claims.
“It is unfortunate that people were kidnapped, but linking them directly to JAMB without evidence complicates security efforts.
“The focus should be on ensuring their safe return,” he said.
He also addressed complaints about early arrival times, clarifying that while candidates are expected to be at centres ahead of time for accreditation, the exams do not commence at 6:30 a.m. According to him, the board shifted the start time from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. following public feedback, though this has resulted in longer waiting periods in some cases.
Oloyede further dismissed widespread misconceptions about the UTME, stressing that it is only one component in the admission process, alongside O’Level results.
He issued a stern warning to candidates and parents against falling prey to fraudsters promising score upgrades or “exam runs,” noting that the board is actively tracking and prosecuting offenders.
“We have our own mechanisms to detect such fraud. Those who attempt shortcuts will be identified and sanctioned,” the registrar said.
He disclosed that some suspects are already facing prosecution, including one individual who allegedly continued to defraud parents even while in detention.
Oloyede called on the public to expose fraudulent online platforms and commended security agencies for their continued support in curbing examination malpractice. He reaffirmed the board’s resolve to uphold transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
