2025 UTME Begins Nationwide with Over 2 Million Candidates Registered

The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has officially commenced across Nigeria. Over 2.03 million candidates have registered for the crucial test.

The week-long examination, which began on April 24 and will run until May 4, is a key requirement for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

At the Dantata Universal Services CBT Centre in Abuja’s Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, candidates arrived as early as 6:45 a.m. for biometric verification ahead of the first session, which started at 8:20 a.m.

Smooth Conduct at Abuja CBT Centre

Mrs. Modupe Adesoga, the Biometric Verification Officer at the centre, confirmed a successful first session, with 184 out of 185 candidates successfully verified.

“We encountered no technical issues—computers, internet, and power supply functioned perfectly. Only one candidate could not be verified and will be rescheduled,” she said.

Mr. Musa Adejo, the resident monitor, noted that security and logistics were well coordinated, with parents adhering to JAMB’s directive to stay outside the premises. However, two latecomers were denied entry as per examination rules.

“Late arrivals cannot be accommodated. The law is clear, and rescheduling is only allowed for biometric-related issues, not tardiness,” Adejo explained.

Candidates, Parents Express Satisfaction

Nafisa Abdulwaheed, a candidate at the centre, described the process as seamless.

“Everything went smoothly. The invigilators were attentive, and I had enough time to complete my exam,” she said.

Meanwhile, parent Mr. Kola Akin waited outside the school gate, citing security concerns as his reason for accompanying his daughter.

“With the current security situation, I had to ensure her safety. But I followed the rules by not entering the exam area,” he said.

Tight Security Measures in Place

Security personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were deployed at the centre to maintain order.

NSCDC official S. Ikeh confirmed that candidates’ phones and bags were securely stored and marked for identification before retrieval after the exam.

“No phones were seized—candidates willingly submitted them during screening,” he clarified.

With the examination progressing smoothly on its first day, JAMB has assured candidates of a fair and well-organized process nationwide.