The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has acknowledged widespread technical glitches that marred the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, assuring candidates and stakeholders of a comprehensive review ahead of the main examination scheduled for April.
In an official bulletin released on Monday, the Board, through its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, admitted that while the mock exercise achieved its core objective, several centres experienced operational failures that disrupted the smooth conduct of the test.
The mock UTME, designed as a preparatory exercise for candidates, was intended to familiarise participants with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment and allow the Board to assess its technical readiness. However, the exercise was overshadowed by reports of server breakdowns, power outages, and significant delays across multiple centres nationwide.
Many candidates, who reportedly arrived as early as dawn, were left stranded for hours without clear communication from officials. In some cases, the examination could not be completed, sparking frustration among candidates and parents who questioned the reliability of the system.
At a CBT centre in Abule Egba, Lagos, candidates described chaotic scenes after technical failures halted the examination midway. One candidate reportedly answered only a few questions before a system crash forced organisers to suspend the session, leaving participants to return home disappointed.
The Board, however, maintained that the challenges encountered underscore the importance of the mock examination, noting that it provides critical insights into system weaknesses that must be addressed before the main test. It added that the exercise featured two sessions to enhance candidates’ exposure to the CBT format.
JAMB further disclosed that centres found culpable of failing to meet required operational standards would be sanctioned, including possible delisting. This, it said, forms part of its commitment to ensuring quality assurance and credibility in the conduct of national examinations.
Reassuring candidates, the Board emphasised that lessons learned from the exercise would inform immediate corrective measures aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving coordination, and preventing a recurrence of such disruptions during the main UTME.
As the April examination approaches, stakeholders have called for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in the system, with many insisting that seamless technical performance will be critical to safeguarding the integrity of one of Nigeria’s most important entry examinations into tertiary institutions.
