The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced on April 18, 2025, that the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will commence on Thursday, April 24, shifting from the earlier date of April 25.
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According to Punch, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, cited logistical improvements to ensure a smoother process for over 1.5 million expected candidates. The optional UTME-Mock exam remains scheduled for April 10, with notification slips printable from April 3.
Candidates can print their main UTME slips by visiting jamb.gov.ng, entering their registration number, and selecting “Print Examination Slip.” JAMB emphasized digital registration to curb fraud, following 2024’s 1.98 million applicants.
The exam, critical for admission into Nigeria’s 270 universities, faces pressure to address past issues like technical glitches, which affected 10% of 2024 candidates. Nigeria’s education sector, serving 20 million tertiary aspirants, sees the UTME as a gateway, though only 30% secure admission annually.
Students and parents are buzzing, with some praising the early date for prep time, while others worry about readiness amid economic strains. Will JAMB deliver a glitch-free exam, or are challenges looming for Nigeria’s future leaders?