• Online fraudsters swindle ignorant candidates seeking registration
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
There’s growing anxiety and worry among prospective candidates for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) over silence on the date for the commencement of registration.
Candidates feared they are being kept in the dark for long by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as regards the UTME.
On December 30, 2024, JAMB reportedly confirmed that the UTME would start on a yet-to-be announced date in January. The report raised hopes of candidates interested in the exercise. That has not been done few days to the end of the month.
Candidates said the delay was contrary to known operational efficiency of JAMB; that it allowed misinformation. Online fraudsters also took advantage of the candidates most of whom are naive to the criminal activities of these fraudsters.
Past experiences
In the past two years, JAMB had announced a timetable for its UTME activities a few weeks or months to the commencement of registration.
For instance, on December 20, 2022, JAMB announced that 2023 UTME registration exercise would commence from Saturday, January 14, 2023, to Tuesday, February 14, 2023. On November 29, 2023, JAMB 2024 UTME registration to commence from January 15 to February 26, 2024. Dates for the mock-UTME and examinations were added.
Parents, candidates, CBT operators express concerns
Few days into the year, false and misleading pieces of information were shared on social media and other digital platforms indicating that the UTME would start on January 15, 2025, even when the information was not authenticated.
Daily Sun observed that many candidates and parents, apparently acting on the false information, besieged Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for registration. Some unlucky ones were swindled due to their naivety. The lucky ones were given proper orientation and guidance on the UTME, particularly the fact that registration for UTME was yet to start.
Abuja-based parent, Bulus Kato, said he was forced to accompany his son to a particular CBT centre at Kuje, Abuja: “But before then, I had informed my son that information I got from a brother of mine in Lagos indicated that the process was yet to commence.
“But he insisted that the information he had was correct and superior. I followed him to the location for him to be convinced that the information he had was not correct.
“However, I was happy later that I joined him. He would have been swindled by some fraudsters at the location as was done to some unlucky candidates. I was able to interact with the people we met and pick out the truth from what they said.
“I was also able to ask some questions that have been confusing for me and I got the needed answers. With this, I will gladly accompany him to the CBT centre whenever the ring for the registration comes up.”
Lagos-based parent, Mrs. Agnes Oji, told Daily Sun: “My son has been eager to sit for this UTME to secure admission into the university. A few days into the new year, he drew my attention to information online indicating that UTME registration would commence on January 15th. I trusted him and never made my own independent findings. I was disappointed that I fell for his ‘foolishness’.
“At the venue, I saw many parents and candidates who, apparently, misled by same wrong information, were at the CBT centre for the registration. On our way back home, I saw some gatherings at various CBT centres, may be, for the same purpose.
“Out of curiosity, I did some research later that day. I discovered that the wrong information on the digital spaces was, perhaps, as a result of the fact that in the last two years, the UTME registration had began on either 13th, 14th or 15th of January of every year and often run till February. That might be the reason for the speculation.”
Meanwhile, Kambili Ezea, a prospective candidate at New Karu, Nasarawa State, was unlucky on that day. Her phone and handbag containing some valuable items were stolen. Someone at a particular CBT centre took advantage of her naivety to defraud her:
“My concern now is how to recover my line, get a new phone, recover my lost NIN card and other documents in the bag that will be useful for me when the registration date is announced.”
Yusurat Abdullahi was among the first few people to arrive at the JAMB CBT Centre, Bwari, Abuja, on January 15, 2025, but turned back. They were informed that registration was yet to commence:
“I was sad that I had to waste money on transportation to the JAMB CBT centre. But that’s the price for my ignorance. My brother had told me UTME registration was yet to start, but I insisted he was wrong standing on the information I got online, which turned out to be false. The delay will help me prepare better by getting documents ready for the registration.”
What could have happened?
Sources in JAMB informed Daily Sun that the delay was to enable JAMB complete work on its system for can to enjoy seamless registration and examination experiences: “JAMB is expecting massive registration this year.
“The board has conducted critical review on all operational chains, and the insights gained from the 2024 review have been integrated into the rigorous planning for the 2025 UTME. It has also established robust measures to prevent the recurrence of the few challenges faced in 2024.”
It assured candidates that it would conduct the most exceptional UTME. It also implemented comprehensive measures aimed at providing candidates and stakeholders with an unparalleled registration and examination experience.
JAMB said it successfully generated a satisfactory pool of examination items, completed the accreditation of CBT centres and provided other activities that would guarantee wonderful experience for candidates and stakeholders.
But to guarantee improved experience for candidates, JAMB advised that candidates begin early preparations by first creating their profiles (sending a text message: NIN (space) followed by their 11-digit NIN number to 55019) early to ensure they can complete their registration without delays when the time arrives.
JAMB, however, warned: “To ensure a smooth registration process for prospective candidates, it is crucial to adhere to the strict warning regarding the use of henna, also known as ‘Laali’ or ‘Lale’. The application of henna on the fingers can lead to significant challenges during biometric verification, as it has been shown to obstruct the process of biometric verification.
“Additionally, candidates who attempt to remove henna designs using harsh chemicals may, inadvertently, damage the whorls on their fingers, thereby making biometric verification and authentication extremely difficult, if not impossible.”
It further advised candidates to protect their 10 fingers for both the registration and the examination itself, “as successful biometric verification is mandatory for entry into the examination hall. Without it, candidates will be unable to access the examination questions.”