The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Thursday, commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for 2.2 million candidates in across 966 Computer Based Test (CBT) Centres nationwide.
The annual UTME is one of Nigeria’s largest entrance examinations into tertiary institutions, attracting millions of candidates across accredited CBT centres nationwide.
Accreditation, biometric verification and computer-based testing were ongoing at several centres visited by our reporter in the FCT; with security personnel and officials supervising the exercise.
Speaking with journalists at Aduvie International School CBT centre, one of the candidates, Stephen Sonde, said the examination process followed proper procedures from accreditation to completion of the test.
Sonde said candidates waited briefly for their session before undergoing biometric verification and system arrangement ahead of the examination. He said the examination was well organised and stress-free, adding that there was no network failure throughout his session.
“We did our thumbprint successfully and everything went smoothly. After that, we were called according to our numbers and seated properly. There were clear instructions before the examination started, which helped us understand how to save answers and end the test. The system worked perfectly from beginning to the end. I was even among the first candidates to finish in my session,” he said.
Also speaking, another candidate, Emmanuel Anyaoha, confirmed that the examination went smoothly without technical glitches, expressing appreciation to the examination body for the smooth conduct.
Similarly, a candidate at Gudmerc Kiddies Academy CBT centre in Kurudu, Elijah Itua, commended the smooth conduct, describing the centre as well organised and conducive for candidates.
He said the examination environment was orderly, while the facilities functioned efficiently throughout the exercise, adding that the examination commenced slightly behind schedule; due to late arrival of some candidates.
He added that the computer systems operated smoothly without technical hitches during the examination.
“This is not my first time writing the UTME. The centre is very nice and everything worked perfectly. There was no challenge at all. We were supposed to start by 6:30 a.m., but many students came late, so the examination started around 7:00 a.m. The systems worked well and everything was okay. There were no problems while using the computers,” he said.
On his part, the Centre Administrator of Aduvie International School CBT centre, Sylvester Edom, said the ongoing UTME was progressing smoothly at the centre, saying the first session of the examination commenced as scheduled, with candidates already writing their papers.
He commended the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education and JAMB for ensuring a disciplined and well-coordinated examination process nationwide.
The administrator explained that preparations ahead of the examination helped to prevent technical challenges during the exercise, saying JAMB conducts multiple pre-examination demonstrations and system tests to ensure seamless operations.
He disclosed that three examination sessions were scheduled for the first day, adding that 235 candidates participated in the first session of the examination.
He also noted that no case of examination malpractice or attempted malpractice had been recorded at the centre, saying JAMB has deployed multiple security measures, including biometric verification and candidate identification systems, to safeguard the credibility of the examination.
“At our centre, activities started exactly as scheduled and, as we speak, all candidates for the first session are writing their examinations. Before the examination, we usually carry out demonstration sessions, sometimes two or three times, to ensure that there are no technical glitches. Presently, we have not recorded any technical challenge at our centre,” Edom said.
A parent at the centre, Mrs Chika Anyaoha, said she arrived early with her son, making adequately prepared based on her previous experience with the examination process.
She said parents need to plan ahead because UTME examination days usually require patience and early arrival at centres, urging authorities to ensure that marking processes remained transparent and efficient
“We were prepared because my son wrote the examination last year. It is not something you rush; you set aside the day for it,” she said.
