UTME 2026 Plagued by System Failures and Candidate Abductions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) administered the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on April 17‑20 across 966 accredited computer‑based test (CBT) centres. A total of 2.2 million candidates logged in for the four‑day exam.

Technical disruptions dominated the testing day. Candidates reported sudden system shutdowns, forced logouts, inaccurate time displays and prolonged internet outages. Some centres failed to maintain stable electricity, forcing reliance on generators that could not sustain the exam duration. The glitches left many students unable to complete sections, raising concerns about a level playing field.

The day before the exam, gunmen seized a Benue Links bus traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo, abducting 16 passengers, including eight UTME candidates. Local officials confirmed the kidnapping and pledged a rescue operation. The abductees were released and presented publicly on April 19 by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and Police Commissioner Ifeanyi Emenari.

JAMB’s head of protocol and public affairs, Fabian Benjamin, dismissed the abduction reports as “speculative,” claiming Nigerians “love this kind of story.” He added that no concrete information had reached the board. The statement contradicted statements from the Otukpo Local Government Chairman and the state police commissioner, who both affirmed the incident and led rescue efforts.

The board’s response has sparked criticism for appearing to downplay a serious security breach while candidates struggle with exam integrity. JAMB later asserted that the abducted individuals were part of a police recruitment exercise, a claim at odds with the officials’ accounts.

These events expose systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s high‑stakes testing infrastructure. Unreliable power and internet at CBT centres undermine the credibility of a nationwide merit‑based exam. Simultaneously, the board’s dismissive tone on security threats may erode public trust.

What to watch next: JAMB’s forthcoming investigation report, potential legal challenges from affected candidates, and any policy reforms aimed at strengthening CBT centre standards and crisis communication.