Outrage Erupts in Ibadan as JAMB Candidates Lash Out Over Exam Glitch [VIDEO]

 

A tense atmosphere enveloped the Abimbola Excel School CBT Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, April 25, 2025, after a technical malfunction derailed the administration of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The resulting chaos saw furious candidates smashing plastic chairs and vandalizing property as they vented their anger over delays that jeopardized their academic futures.

Eyewitness accounts from the Elesin, Amuloko area along Akanran Road in Ona Ara Local Government Area painted a grim picture. Young men and women, who had prepared extensively for this critical assessment, erupted into protest when it became clear that their scheduled examination session would not proceed as planned. The technical glitch, which halted the commencement of the test, became the final straw for many, leading to an outburst of frustration that quickly spiraled into destruction.

Security operatives were later deployed to the scene to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Although tensions remained high for several hours, no arrests were reported in connection with the incident.

This disruption adds another dark chapter to an already troubled history of technical issues plaguing Nigeria's largest standardized test. The UTME, administered annually by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has faced consistent challenges, with similar breakdowns recorded during the 2024 exams. That year, many candidates were forced to retake their assessments after systemic failures across several testing centres.

More than two million hopefuls are sitting for the 2025 UTME, which officially kicked off on Thursday, April 24. JAMB statistics indicate that a staggering 2,030,627 candidates registered to take the examination across thousands of centres nationwide. For many, the UTME serves as the crucial gateway to securing admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, heightening the stakes for success.

Among the pool of registered candidates, 41,026 are reportedly below the age of 16, highlighting the growing trend of younger students seeking early entry into tertiary education. For these young examinees, facing such disruptions can be especially disorienting, compounding the anxiety already associated with high-stakes examinations.

Footage circulating online, including videos obtained by IntelRegion, showcased scenes of palpable anger: candidates, some with tears streaming down their faces, tossing chairs and shouting at officials. The sense of betrayal was unmistakable, as many lamented the months of rigorous preparation they feared had been wasted by factors beyond their control.

JAMB, through its spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin, acknowledged the setback but emphasized that the board had anticipated potential technical issues and had contingency plans in place. Working in collaboration with partner agencies, JAMB said it remains committed to ensuring that affected candidates will be rescheduled promptly and fairly.

"Our commitment to a credible examination process remains unshaken," Dr. Benjamin said during a press briefing. "We urge all candidates to remain calm as necessary adjustments are being made to accommodate those impacted by unforeseen disruptions."

While JAMB's assurances may provide a measure of relief, confidence in the examination process has undoubtedly been shaken among students and parents alike. The recurring nature of technical faults has sparked broader conversations about Nigeria’s readiness to fully transition to computer-based testing (CBT) models, especially for critical national assessments.

Beyond the immediate impact on candidates, the incident has reignited debates about the quality and maintenance of CBT centres nationwide. Questions are being raised about the vetting process for such centres, with calls for more rigorous inspections and sanctions against those that fail to meet operational standards.

Stakeholders in the education sector are urging the federal government to invest more heavily in examination infrastructure and technology training, warning that continued negligence could erode trust in national testing processes.

As the 2025 UTME continues across the country, JAMB faces mounting pressure not only to rectify the situation for affected candidates but also to restore faith in its capacity to deliver a seamless, transparent examination experience. For the students who witnessed and participated in the chaos at Abimbola Excel School CBT Centre, the scars of this experience may linger far beyond the rescheduled test dates.