Over 80% of Candidates Skip JAMB Mop-Up Exam Amid Anti-Impersonation Measures
More than 80% of the 98,232 candidates scheduled for Saturday’s nationwide mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) did not show up, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, shared this insight while overseeing the process at the Technology CBT Centre, NAF Valley Estate, Abuja. He noted that only about 12% of registered candidates participated in the examination nationwide. The significant drop in attendance is likely linked to enhanced security measures aimed at preventing impersonation and other exam malpractices.
“Typically, we hold mop-up exams for 4,000 to 5,000 candidates with valid reasons, such as illness or technical issues. This year, however, over 98,000 candidates were scheduled, and the low turnout suggests our system is effectively identifying fraudulent applications,” Oloyede explained.
JAMB’s mop-up exams are designed to give candidates with legitimate reasons for missing the main UTME a second chance. The unusually high number of scheduled candidates and the low attendance this year have sparked concerns about the authenticity of prior applications.
More details will be provided as they become available.
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Salahdeen HI is a seasoned e-learning, education, and ICT professional with years of experience driving innovation in the education sector. He is the founder of Edunaija, one of Nigeria’s leading education blogs, where he shares insights, resources, and updates to support students and educators alike. Beyond his work in education technology, Salahdeen is also a passionate content creator and blogger, using digital platforms to inform, empower, and inspire. His professional journey includes notable roles such as working in the Lagos State Governor’s Office, focusing on Systems Support and Computer Education across Education Districts. Through Edunaija and his digital content, Salahdeen is committed to leveraging technology to transform education in Nigeria.