JAMB Confirms Exams Start at 8AM, Not 6AM — Responds to Peter Obi’s Criticism
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially clarified that the 2025 UTME begins at 8:00AM nationwide, not 6:00AM as alleged by former presidential candidate Peter Obi. This statement comes after Obi criticised the Board for allegedly exposing young candidates to danger by scheduling exams at extremely early hours.
JAMB Responds to Peter Obi: “Verification Starts at 6:30AM, Not the Exam”
In a post published on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, JAMB responded directly to Obi’s concerns, insisting that candidates are only expected to arrive early for biometric verification and centre validation — not to begin the examination.
“Our examination is scheduled to commence at 8:00AM, not 6:00AM. Verification starts at 6:30AM to ensure there are no delays. This structure is essential,” said Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s spokesperson.
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Peter Obi Slams 6:30AM Reporting Time
Peter Obi had earlier decried JAMB’s practice of instructing candidates to report by 6:30AM, claiming it has led to trauma, hardship, and even accidents among teenage students. Obi called the move reckless, citing alleged incidents of missing children and disrupted travel plans.
In reaction, JAMB stated that the reporting schedule is designed not for the exams to begin early, but to allow for orderly pre-exam verification, especially given Nigeria’s well-known delays in public logistics and human behavior.
“We must ensure candidates have enough time to settle down before the exam. It’s not about punishment, it’s about structure and fairness,” Benjamin added.
UTME 2025 Begins Nationwide with Over 2 Million Candidates
The 2025 UTME officially began on April 24, a day earlier than previously announced, and will be conducted across multiple Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres throughout the country. Over two million candidates are sitting for the examination — a record-breaking number that makes early preparation and logistics essential.
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Check out: What to Read for UNILORIN Post UTME
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Final Word from JAMB: Structure, Not Stress
JAMB has urged the public, especially candidates and parents, to ignore misinformation and understand that the Board’s structured timelines are aimed at ensuring fairness, credibility, and smooth delivery of Nigeria’s most important tertiary entrance exam.
The Board also reiterated its commitment to students’ safety, transparency, and continued efforts to ensure that no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged by logistics or misinformation.
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