The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) started the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Tuesday without any major technical glitches. Our correspondent visited some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Abuja and its environs and confirmed the smooth conduct of the examination.
At the Global Distance Learning Institute, located opposite the Ministry of Finance, Central Business Area, Abuja, candidates had already arrived and were waiting for the examination to start by 6:50 a.m. However, the first session of the examination, which was scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m, started a few minutes before 9:00 a.m, after the invigilator, Rilwanu, explained that they were waiting for orders from JAMB headquarters.
Mr Abdulrahman Balogun, one of the High Opinion Leaders for the examination, stated that there were no major technical hitches, but a slight delay occurred from JAMB headquarters. He added that 183 out of the 200 candidates expected in the first session were accredited, while 16 were absent, and one was unverified.
Balogun also commended the process, stating that close to 99% success in terms of orderliness, smoothness, and arrangement was recorded. However, he advised parents not to interfere with the process or conduct of the UTME examination.
At the CBT centre, Gideon International distributed Bibles to the candidates, but Balogun condemned this act as it was capable of distracting the candidates. He called for intervention to prevent religious friction.
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Balogun commended the board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for the introduction of technology in the conduct of its examinations, which had helped to curb malpractices in the system.