In the latest update regarding the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has assured candidates affected by technical glitches that they will be rescheduled to write the exam.
Oloyede made this announcement while addressing journalists after monitoring the exam at Kogo-Bwari, Abuja.
He urged affected candidates to remain calm as arrangements are being made for their rescheduling.
Out of the 1,985,642 candidates registered for the examination which commenced on Friday, Oloyede reported that the UTME has been running smoothly with only one center encountering technical issues so far. The exam is scheduled to conclude on April 25, 2024, with results expected to be released in the coming days.
Oloyede emphasized the importance of understanding that technical issues may arise, especially given the varying levels of development across different regions. He urged candidates not to disrupt the process if such issues occur.
Regarding rescheduling, Oloyede explained that affected candidates would be accommodated after 4:30 p.m. to avoid clashing with other exam sessions. He also mentioned that the examination body had introduced new mechanisms to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2024 UTME.
Meanwhile, at Airmax Computer Institute in Madalla, Niger State, the examination proceeded without any issues, according to a center representative. Oloyede expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the new measures implemented, stating that fraudulent activities by some candidates had been curbed with the assistance of security agencies.
He commended the cooperation of the public, particularly parents, attributing the smooth conduct of the exam to their adherence to guidelines. Oloyede also addressed concerns regarding scholarships awarded to top-performing UTME candidates, highlighting the need to consider additional criteria beyond exam scores.
Oloyede reiterated the commitment of JAMB to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive evaluation criteria for candidates.