2026 UTME: Outrage As Glitch Grounds JAMB Mock Exam Nationwide

Thousands of candidates registered for the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) were left stranded on Saturday following a technical glitch that prevented the test from commencing in several centres.

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Naija News understands that the candidates, who had arrived at their respective Computer-Based Test centres as early as 6 a.m., were still unable to sit for the examination as of 1:30 p.m., triggering widespread 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 hours of waiting.

According to him, one of the candidates managed to answer only four questions before the system crashed.

“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.,” the SUN quoted Giwas as saying.

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.

However, Saturday’s disruption has drawn criticism, with many questioning the fairness of penalising candidates for circumstances beyond their control.

A parent, Mr Shola Oluwadare, narrated how he travelled with his son across Lagos for the exam, incurring additional expenses.

“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 queried.

Also reacting, Mr Kareem Kasali, who assisted at a CBT centre on Lagos Island, 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 lamented.

Several other parents took to social media to express their dissatisfaction over the incident.

Mr Dayo Akinsanya criticised what he described as repeated administrative failures.

“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,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Lookman Oniyaomebi said, “This is horrific. Every well-meaning Nigerian should speak up. This incompetence stinks to high heaven. We must lend our voices.”

In contrast, Mr Babatola Adeyemi offered a more conciliatory perspective, acknowledging the difficulties faced by candidates while appealing for restraint in criticism.

“Nonetheless, when someone has a reputation for honesty, integrity, commitment, and enhanced revenue generation, we should not be unsparing in our criticism. I am sure the issue has been brought to his attention and is being addressed. I sincerely sympathise with all the affected children. It is well,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the examination body had yet to issue an official statement on the disruption or announce plans for rescheduling the affected mock examination.