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JAMB: ‘Some Sections Had No Questions, Just Answers’; UTME Candidates Narrate Experiences

Published

1 year ago

May 15, 2025

The outcry from parents, and heartbreak suffered by many candidates caused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to review the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.

Now, 379,997 candidates, cutting across six states of the federation, would retake the examination from Friday May 16 to 18.

However, before JAMB reached that decision, some candidates had narrated their experiences during the UTME exam to Vanguard.

JAMB should review the results: According to a 15-year-old candidate, “I was a bit nervous. But overall, it was a good exam. It was simpler than expected, and I didn’t have any problems in the exam hall. My computer worked perfectly. But I got a score of 145.

“However, I’m very sure I did better than this. I would appreciate it if they could review the results.”

Answers without questions: A candidate said: “I wrote my UTME at a private school in Lagos. My experience was quite normal.

“However, there were a few questions that didn’t have questions attached to them, just the (answer) options. There were about 15 of them.

“The supervisor told us to randomly pick answers, and that the issue would definitely be sorted out at the headquarters.

“I sat for English Language, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, and scored a little above 200. But I’ve been hearing a lot of things about the scores this year.”

‘I scored 234, but…’
“I am 18 years old, and I scored 234 in my exam. Well, the exam was not that bad, although it had a lot of stress, because I had to leave my home by 6.30 a.m. The paper was scheduled for 7.30 a.m., but we ended up writing it past 8 p.m., or a few minutes to 9 p.m.

“We had to go through different stressful processes such as thumbprinting, before the exam started formally.

“Considering the fact that it was my first time, I had to make little patches and fix myself up.

“When I started, I had one or two issues because I didn’t know how to log into my JAMB account. I got little assistance from the student sitting close to me.

“I wrote a combination of Mathematics, Government, Economics, and English. When I started with Maths, I had to run back to Government because the first five questions were challenging. I wrote my Government and immediately rushed to Economics. Economics was not that hard because it was one of my best subjects right from time.

“The only challenge we had with English was that the book we were supposed to read for the 2025 exam, the questions we expected didn’t come out. It was a 160-page book, but I ended up seeing just nine questions from it. Then I moved to Mathematics, which was a tricky one. I ended up scoring 53 out of 100 in Mathematics.”

‘Supervisors were mean’
Another 2025 UTME candidate told Vanguard: “I would have done better in this year’s JAMB. But there were a lot of complications due to the educational standard of our country. A lot of people, their scores didn’t come out. I know of a girl who had to check her results twice before the main results came out. Initially, she scored 194. After trying it again, she scored 286.

“I know of another girl who had to check her results just last night (Tuesday). With all the stress and all the preparation lessons, she ended up scoring 174. I know it’s because of the stress, She had to leave home by 6.30 a.m. Because of the road construction that was going on, I had to trek for quite a distance, before I could take a bike. Then I ended up at the wrong UTME centre.

“When I finally arrived, we were 200 that started the exam at about 9p.m. Before then, the thumbprinting was done. Some candidates had to go and wash their hands and clean it before applying again, because the machine was not responding to the thumbs.

“The supervisors were mean. They were not even ready to give assistance. Not even to first-timers. They would be like ‘Didn’t you go for CBT training? Didn’t they teach you this and that?’ I had to talk to them. I think the girls noticed that I was having one or two issues. That was when one helped me with my issues.”

‘This is not my result’
Another candidate told Vanguard: “I am 16 years old. I wrote my exam on the 26th of May. I scored 166. But I know that cannot be my true score. I wrote English, Mathematics, Economics and Government.

“The English was, for me, simple. I don’t know about other candidates. And then the Government as well was very simple for me because I actually used the JAMB syllabus and I covered everything. Economics was as well very simple, just like the Government. The Maths too was okay.

“My score came out 44 in English, 41 in Government, and Maths 45. I thought I should be scoring low in Maths. How is this kind of result possible? At the CBT (exam) Centre, everything went smoothly.

“I don’t know, maybe there was an error in the marking of the exam. But that score? It can’t be for me at all. Coming down to Economics, I got 41. It’s not even possible at all, at all.”
(VANGUARD)

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎

News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

News

Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of children, promoting quality education, and strengthening sports development across the state.

This assurance was given by the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, during the 2026 Children’s Day Celebration and Governor’s Cup Finale held on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Addressing pupils, students and teachers,
the governor described children as the pride of Edo State and the future of the nation.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa,
noted that the annual celebration provides an opportunity to honour their dreams, talents, and limitless potential.

Speaking on this year’s Children’s Day theme, “Choose Kindness, Reject Bullying,” the governor said the message was timely and significant, as it emphasizes the need to create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for children both in schools and communities.

He stated that bullying in all forms — physical, verbal, emotional, or online — has no place in society, adding that the Edo State Government remains fully committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

According to him, the administration will continue to strengthen policies and programmes that promote child protection, discipline, mutual respect, and positive learning environments across schools in the State.

The governor urged children to embrace kindness, compassion, teamwork, and respect for one another, stressing that true strength lies not in intimidation but in empathy, good character, and mutual understanding.