- Candidates Stranded As Technical Glitch Disrupts JAMB Mock UTME
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Candidates stranded for hours without writing examination
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Parents criticise JAMB over failure and poor coordination
Thousands of candidates registered for the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board were left stranded on Saturday following a technical glitch that disrupted the exercise across several centres.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that candidates, who arrived at their Computer Based Test centres as early as 6 a.m., were unable to sit for the examination as of 1:30 p.m., sparking frustration among parents and guardians.
At Quiblaminds Comprehensive CBT Centre in Ahmadiyyah, Abule Egba, Lagos, a guardian, Mr Shile Giwa, said candidates were eventually asked to leave after waiting for hours.
“After seven hours of waiting, the centre’s management sent students home. One candidate had attempted only four questions before the server went down and was never restored. We left around 3 p.m.,” he said.
Earlier in the week, JAMB had warned that candidates who registered for the mock examination but failed to attend would face sanctions.
“Absence from the mock UTME after indicating interest will attract appropriate consequences. All affected candidates are strongly advised to make arrangements to participate in the mock UTME scheduled for Saturday, 28th March 2026,” the board stated.
Saturday’s disruption has since drawn criticism, with many questioning the fairness of penalising candidates for circumstances beyond their control.
A parent, Mr Shola Oluwadare, said he travelled across Lagos with his son, incurring extra costs, only for the exam not to hold.
“I saw innocent students and their parents arrive at the CBT centre by 6:30 a.m. and leave by 1 p.m. without writing the exam. We spent seven hours waiting. What consequences should JAMB face for this?” he said.
Another observer, Mr Kareem Kasali, described the situation as embarrassing.
“Despite frantic attempts to stabilise the JAMB server, candidates had to be sent home around 3 p.m. If this is the mock, what should we expect in the real exam?” he said.
Several parents also expressed their frustration on social media.
“Why can’t these incompetent people learn from past failures? Must they inflict pain on our children all the time? This is becoming intolerable and vexatious,” Mr Dayo Akinsanya said.
“This is horrific. Every well meaning Nigerian should speak up. This incompetence stinks to high heaven. We must lend our voices,” Mr Lookman Oniyaomebi added.
However, Mr Babatola Adeyemi urged restraint, noting that the issue may be addressed.
“I sincerely sympathise with all the affected children. It is well,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, JAMB had yet to issue an official statement or announce plans to reschedule the disrupted mock examination.
