The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning against the spread of misinformation regarding the posting of candidates for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB insisted that at the point of registration, candidates are given the opportunity to select their preferred examination town. The Board maintains that candidates are subsequently assigned to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre within their chosen town, dismissing claims of assignments outside selected towns as “erroneous, malicious, and aimed solely at tarnishing the Board’s reputation.”
To reinforce its stance, JAMB announced a financial reward for anyone who can provide verifiable proof of any candidate being posted outside their chosen examination town. However, such proof must be submitted within 96 hours to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) via WhatsApp number 08056003030.
The Board explained that the initiative is to ensure transparency, adding that the FCCPC would serve as an impartial umpire to validate claims and ensure rewards are delivered if necessary.
JAMB further urged candidates and parents to trust public institutions, noting that the Board remains committed to fairness and convenience in its operations. It also drew a parallel with air travel procedures, pointing out that just as travellers are advised to arrive at airports two hours before departure, candidates are required to arrive at their examination centres 90 minutes before the exam for preliminary verification processes.
The Board advised parents against expecting the entire examination process to last just two hours, emphasizing that additional time is necessary for proper verification and logistics.
On a lighter note, JAMB recounted an unusual incident involving a female candidate who refused to answer any questions during her examination, claiming she was following her grandfather’s instructions to wait for “miraculous intervention.” The Board emphasized that success in the UTME requires preparation and hard work, not superstition.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth and credible examination process, urging candidates to prepare adequately and avoid being misled by false narratives.
