The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that its Computer-Based Test (CBT) Examination is not an internet-based examination, dispelling misconceptions regarding the role of internet connectivity in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, made this clarification on February 25, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to his office in Bwari, Abuja.
During the visit, Prof. Oloyede explained that the UTME is conducted using a Local Area Network (LAN), which is a secure, locally managed network within examination centers. He noted that LANs are independent of internet connectivity, ensuring a controlled and encrypted data distribution process that prevents external interference. He addressed concerns over technical glitches during exams, emphasizing that such challenges are not due to internet failures but could be linked to other factors within the test centers.
On JAMB’s partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Registrar reaffirmed that possession of a National Identification Number (NIN) remains a prerequisite for UTME registration. He also elaborated on JAMB’s data correction policies, stating that changes can be made only in cases of apparent errors and that any modification must include a footnote to maintain the integrity of the system. He encouraged stakeholders to use the “Requery” feature on JAMB’s portal for resolving any discrepancies, stressing that candidates’ histories cannot be erased or altered fraudulently.
In response, NAPPS President, Dr. Samira Jubrin, raised concerns regarding registration issues, technical challenges, and data corrections. She commended Prof. Oloyede’s leadership and JAMB’s reforms, pledging NAPPS’ readiness to collaborate with the Board for a more seamless examination process. The Registrar also clarified that UTME registration remains an individual-based process, unlike WAEC and NECO, which are school-based.