Dozens of frustrated candidates taking the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Ibadan erupted in protest on Friday, April 25, after repeated technical failures delayed their exams at a JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred at Abimbola Excel School, Elesin, Amuloko, on Akanran Road in Ona Ara Local Government Area. Candidates, unable to access their scheduled exams due to system malfunctions, began destroying plastic chairs and other property inside the centre. The chaos was captured in a video circulating on social media.
Security personnel were called to the scene and quickly restored order. No arrests were reported, but the centre’s operations were temporarily disrupted.
This is not the first time technical issues have marred the UTME process. In 2024, similar glitches forced the rescheduling of exams for many students. JAMB, which began the 2025 UTME nationwide on Thursday, expects over 2 million candidates to sit for the exams this year, including more than 41,000 under the age of 16.
JAMB spokesman Dr. Fabian Benjamin stated that adjustments have been made to accommodate essential commitments by the board and its partner agencies. However, Friday’s events in Ibadan highlight ongoing challenges with the exam’s digital infrastructure.
Candidates and parents are urging JAMB to address technical shortcomings to prevent further disruptions.
