The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commenced nationwide, with more than 2.2 million candidates expected to sit for the examination across accredited centres.
The examination, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple sessions scheduled daily.
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Speaking to some candidates after completing their examination in Abuja, said the process was smooth and there were no technical glitches.
At Fozy Global Concepts Ltd, CBT center, Government Senior Secondary School(GSS) Apo FCT, a candidate named Damaris Umar said the examination was good and there was no technical challenges , she described the centre as well organised and conducive for candidates.
Damaris said the examination center facilities functioned efficiently throughout the exercise.
“This is my first time writing UTME in Abuja, the first one, was in Kaduna state , but I like Abuja center more, everything here worked perfectly, there was no challenge at all,” she said.
Another candidate at Aduvie International School Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre, Stephen Sonde, a candidate, said the examination process followed proper procedures from accreditation to completion of the test.
He stressed that candidates waited briefly for their session before undergoing biometric verification and system arrangement ahead of the examination.
“We did our thumbprint successfully and everything went smoothly. After that, we were called according to our numbers and seated properly.
“There were clear instructions before the examination started, which helped us understand how to save answers and end the test,” he said.
He described the examination as well organised and stress-free, adding that there was no network failure throughout his session.
“The system worked perfectly from beginning to the end. I was even among the first candidates to finish in my session,” he said.
Another candidate, Emmanuel Anyaoha, also confirmed that the examination went smoothly without technical issues.
“The exam was good and everything worked very well,” he said.
Also, the Centre Administrator of Aduvie International School CBT centre, Mr Sylvester Edom, said the ongoing UTME was progressing smoothly at the centre.
Edom said the first session of the examination commenced as scheduled, with candidates already writing their papers.
He commended the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education and the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for ensuring a disciplined and well-coordinated examination process nationwide.
“At our centre, activities started exactly as scheduled and, as we speak, all candidates for the first session are writing their examinations,” he said.
The administrator explained that preparations ahead of the examination helped to prevent technical challenges during the exercise.
According to him, JAMB conducts multiple pre-examination demonstrations and system tests to ensure seamless operations.
“Before the examination, we usually carry out demonstration sessions, sometimes two or three times, to ensure that there are no technical glitches.
“Presently, we have not recorded any technical challenge at our centre,” Edom said.
He disclosed that three examination sessions were scheduled for the first day, adding that 235 candidates participated in the first session of the examination.
He also noted that no case of examination malpractice or attempted malpractice had been recorded at the centre.
According to him, JAMB has deployed multiple security measures, including biometric verification and candidate identification systems, to safeguard the credibility of the examination.
Each examination day is divided into four sessions to reduce congestion at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and enhance biometric verification processes.
For the 2026 UTME, about 966 CBT centres are participating, each required to meet operational standards, including functional computer systems, stable connectivity and trained personnel.
