Many candidates and their parents were left stranded and frustrated for hours on Thursday at the CMS Grammar School CBT Centre in Bariga, Lagos, during the 2025 UTME mock examination organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB).
Despite being directed to report at 6:30 a.m. for the mock examination, candidates were reportedly left waiting without clear communication or coordination from officials, causing anxiety and confusion among students and their guardians.
“The kids were asked to report at 6:30 am. As I speak with you, nothing has happened. Some of the kids have not had breakfast. This is bad organisation,” one of the affected parents told SaharaReporters.
JAMB introduced the mock exam as a preparatory test ahead of the main UTME. It is meant to help candidates familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment.
However, the process descended into chaos at the Lagos centre, with parents expressing frustration over poor management and lack of information.
“The problem is that there is no communication from the officials. We are all stranded for several hours now. Our children are inside unattended to. This is an exam that should not ordinarily take more than 1 to 2 hours. Some people have been here as early as 5am and this is after 2pm. We are still there. Nothing has been done,” another parent lamented.
JAMB announced that over 200,000 candidates across the country registered to participate in the 2025 mock examination scheduled for Monday, April 8.
The examination was to take place in selected accredited CBT centres nationwide, and JAMB promised a smooth process and technical upgrades to enhance performance monitoring.
However, candidates at CMS Grammar School, one of the officially accredited centres, faced delays of up to eight hours. Many were left unattended; others complained of fatigue, hunger, and lack of direction.
The experience has once again raised concerns about the efficiency and preparedness of some JAMB-approved CBT centres, despite repeated assurances by the board of improved logistics and digital infrastructure in recent years.
This comes amid controversies surrounding reports that the JAMB disbursed N397,030,900 in transport allowances to 1,909 officials involved in the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
During a recent meeting in Abuja, the board’s Director of Finance, Mr. Mufutau Bello, shared this information to review JAMB’s preparedness for both the mock examination and the main UTME.
Bello, emphasising the national significance of the examinations, revealed that the amount disbursed so far represents only the first tranche of payments, covering one-third of the officials participating in the process.
