LAGOS, Nigeria – Over 2 million candidates ready for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) kick off today, April 24, 2025, across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) disclosed this information, indicating a significant turnout for this year’s exams.
The registration process for the UTME began on February 3 and closed on March 8, providing candidates a month to complete their applications. In a previous mock UTME, over 200,000 candidates participated, and JAMB has reported that around 180 students are facing disciplinary action for examination malpractice.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, highlighted the need for candidates to prepare adequately and uphold academic integrity. ‘We need to let the students know that the best way to pass the UTME is to study,’ he stated. ‘We are aware of rogue websites asking candidates to pay for access to leaked questions. It cannot work.’
Oloyede mentioned that JAMB had set up a fake rogue website to trap potential cheaters, revealing that about 180 candidates had paid into this account, trying to gain access to exam questions. ‘To even attempt to cheat is already an infraction, and we are going to deal firmly with them. Their results, both UTME and Direct Entry, will be canceled,’ he warned.
He urged candidates to avoid registering by proxy and sharing their registration numbers, highlighting instances where some schools manipulate data to enhance their performance rankings. ‘UTME is not a school-based examination. We register students individually. We’ve seen instances where governors celebrated results that were not real,’ Oloyede added.
Additionally, JAMB has encouraged all candidates to stay clear of fraudulent websites and individuals promising shortcuts to success, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining exam integrity.
As part of the preparations for the UTME, candidates can now print their Notification Slips containing vital details like exam dates, venues, and time. The notification slips are crucial for a smooth examination experience.
JAMB instructed candidates to visit their official site, www.jamb.gov.ng, to print their examination slips with their registration numbers starting today. ‘Candidates are advised to print their slips and familiarize themselves with their examination centers at least one or two days before the examination date,’ JAMB advised.
The board reassured candidates that they would be posted to centers within their chosen examination towns and that the UTME would not extend beyond Thursday, April 24, 2025. JAMB emphasized the importance of thorough preparation in making the exam day seamless for all test-takers.
