UTME 2025 in the Spotlight Again
The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has become a hotbed of controversy across Nigeria.
This year’s exam, which determines university admissions for hundreds of thousands of candidates, has faced significant disruptions.
From mass impersonation arrests to power outages and unreasonable reporting times, the process has left many questioning the preparedness and fairness of JAMB’s systems.
As candidates and their families voice their frustrations online and offline, a national conversation around examination reform is taking shape.
This article breaks down the major issues, explores reactions from stakeholders, and proposes practical solutions for improving future UTME exercises.
Impersonation Scandals: A Persistent Threat to UTME Integrity
Over 40 Impersonators Nabbed
Confirmed the arrest of more than 40 individuals caught impersonating candidates during the 2025 UTME.
Despite using biometric verification and CCTV surveillance in its Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers, the exam board continues to battle criminal elements who attempt to game the system.
Biometric Loopholes
Although biometric verification is mandatory before a candidate can sit for the exam, some impersonators still manage to bypass the system.
This points to vulnerabilities in JAMB’s identity verification protocols and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current security measures.
Legal Consequences and Public Concern
Those arrested have been handed over to law enforcement for prosecution.
Still, many education stakeholders worry that without tighter control and harsher penalties, impersonation will remain a recurring problem.
Parents and students are calling for stricter regulations and increased transparency in candidate verification.
Early Reporting Time: A Major Burden for Candidates
6:30 AM Check-In Controversy
One of the most criticized elements of the 2025 UTME is the requirement for candidates to arrive at their exam centers by 6:30 a.m., even when their test session is scheduled much later.
Parents argue that this policy endangers young candidates who must leave their homes as early as 4 a.m., sometimes in areas plagued by insecurity.
Harsh Conditions and Parental Frustration
Numerous reports on social media detail how candidates and their parents struggled to locate unfamiliar CBT centers in the dark.
Many arrived only to wait for hours in uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe environments. Parents are demanding a reassessment of this policy, especially for minors.
Technical Failures and Power Outages Disrupt Exams
CBT Centers Struggle with Logistics
Another pressing issue affecting the 2025 UTME is the unreliability of CBT centers.
Several centers experienced severe technical failures, from server crashes to outright power outages.
In Adamawa State, for example, parents protested at the Modibbo Adama University CBT center after electricity failures delayed the test indefinitely.
Nationwide Problem
These issues are not isolated. Across multiple states including Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers students have reported similar problems.
In many cases, exams were either postponed or rescheduled, causing confusion and emotional stress for candidates.
Need for Technical Audit
These repeated failures reveal a systemic lack of preparedness.
Stakeholders are calling for an independent technical audit of all CBT centers to ensure they are fit for purpose before being approved for future UTME rounds.
JAMB’s Official Response to UTME Challenges
Rescheduling and Center Delisting
JAMB has taken steps to manage the fallout.
The board announced the delisting of several underperforming CBT centers and rescheduled exams for affected candidates.
According to the JAMB Registrar, these decisions aim to uphold the integrity and fairness of the UTME.
Clarification on Reporting Time
JAMB also clarified that the 6:30 a.m. reporting time is to accommodate biometric verification and administrative procedures before the 8:00 a.m. exam start.
However, critics argue that this explanation fails to consider the real-world implications for students traveling from long distances.
Voices from Lawmakers and Civil Society
Legislative Oversight and Recommendations
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has pledged support for reforms.
Members have proposed several improvements, including equipping all centers with standby generators, improving air ventilation, and ensuring first-aid services are available at every center.
Advocacy Groups Speak Out
Several educational NGOs have urged JAMB to revise its logistics planning.
They recommend assigning candidates to centers closer to their homes and using staggered sessions to avoid congestion.
These groups argue that the goal should be to make the exam less stressful, not more.
The Emotional Toll on Candidates and Families
Stories of Stress and Trauma
Beyond logistics, the human cost of these issues is immense.
Many candidates reported elevated stress levels, anxiety attacks, and even fainting episodes due to delays and lack of communication.
Some candidates reportedly missed their exams altogether, despite arriving early.
Social Media as an Outlet
Parents and candidates have turned to platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share their experiences.
Hashtags such as #JAMBReformNow and #FixUTME have trended, showing the scale of the public’s dissatisfaction.
Digital Advocacy and Growing Media Attention
Nationwide Call for Reform
Traditional media and online platforms are now filled with opinion pieces, editorial cartoons, and analysis calling for JAMB to revamp its processes.
Influential voices, including educators and political analysts, have joined the call for a more candidate-centered examination process.
Need for Transparency and Communication
Experts emphasize the need for better communication channels between JAMB, candidates, and their guardians.
Real-time updates via SMS or social media can help reduce misinformation and panic during examination periods.
Recommendations to Improve Future UTME Exercises
To make the UTME more reliable and humane, the following measures should be considered:
1. Revise Reporting Times
Adjust the check-in time from 6:30 a.m. to a more realistic 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. to reduce travel risks.
2. Improve CBT Center Vetting
Conduct a thorough vetting and approval process for CBT centers to eliminate unqualified operators.
3. Deploy Emergency Response Teams
Place medical and technical emergency response teams at all major CBT centers.
4. Assign Centers by Proximity
Use GIS technology to ensure candidates are assigned to the nearest possible CBT center.
5. Real-Time Communication
Keep candidates and parents informed through automated SMS and verified social media accounts.
6. Establish a Complaint Portal
Set up a digital platform where issues can be reported and addressed promptly by JAMB officials.
Time to Reform the UTME System
The issues faced during UTME 2025 underline the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s examination system.
While JAMB has made notable progress in digitalizing the exam and curbing malpractice, glaring inefficiencies remain.
From impersonation and power failures to logistical nightmares, the UTME experience needs a human-centered overhaul.
For the sake of Nigeria’s youth and the future of tertiary education, stakeholders must come together to create a smoother, safer, and fairer examination process.
If JAMB listens and implements these changes, future UTME editions could become a model for standardized testing across Africa.
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