Candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across centres in Lagos have expressed mixed reactions, with many lamenting technical issues, delays, and poor coordination that marred the exercise.
The incidents were recorded on Friday, April 25, 2026, during the morning and afternoon sessions of the examination, with problems beginning as early as 6:00 a.m., when candidates arrived at their designated Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Reports indicate that while some centres recorded smooth conduct, others were plagued by system failures, network glitches, and late commencement of exams, leaving candidates frustrated and anxious about their performance.
Several candidates in parts of Lagos, including Ikorodu, complained of persistent system errors that prevented them from accessing or completing their examinations. In some cases, candidates were disconnected mid-session or experienced automatic submission of their scripts before completion.
“I got to the centre before 6:00 a.m., but my exam didn’t start until almost 11:00 a.m. due to system issues,” one candidate said.
Beyond technical challenges, delays also featured prominently. Candidates scheduled for the 7:00 a.m. session in some centres reportedly did not begin their exams until late morning or early afternoon, creating tension and fatigue among candidates.
Parents also voiced concerns, describing the situation as disorganised and mentally exhausting, particularly for candidates who had prepared extensively but were subjected to long waiting hours under uncertain conditions.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) acknowledged isolated disruptions but maintained that the majority of centres functioned effectively, attributing the challenges to infrastructure lapses at some CBT centres.
As reactions continue to trail the exercise, stakeholders have called on JAMB to urgently address recurring technical and logistical issues to ensure a more seamless and credible examination process in subsequent sessions.