Chaos erupted at the Abimbola Excel School CBT Centre in Ibadan today as dozens of angry UTME candidates vandalized the examination hall, destroying plastic chairs and other property following severe technical difficulties that prevented them from taking their scheduled Computer-Based Test. The violent protest, captured in viral videos obtained by IntelRegion, shows enraged students hurling furniture and shouting in frustration after being unable to access their exam portals – marking yet another embarrassing setback for JAMB in this year’s troubled UTME exercise. Eyewitnesses reported that the technical glitches persisted for over three hours without resolution before the candidates’ patience snapped, forcing security personnel to intervene and restore order, though no arrests were made.
Key Details of the Incident:
- Location: JAMB-approved CBT Centre at Abimbola Excel School, Elesin (Amuloko-Akanran Road)
- Trigger: Persistent system failures blocking candidates from starting their exams
- Response: Security personnel contained the situation; JAMB yet to issue official statement
- History: Similar technical issues disrupted 2024 UTME, requiring mass rescheduling
Broader Context:
This year’s UTME, which began on April 24, has:
✅ 2,030,627 registered candidates nationwide
✅ 41,026 applicants below age 16 – raising questions about exam preparedness
✅ Recurring technical failures despite JAMB’s promises of upgraded systems
Why This Matters:
1️⃣ Credibility Crisis: Repeated tech failures undermine confidence in Nigeria’s unified tertiary admission system
2️⃣ Student Frustration: Many candidates traveled far and paid for accommodations only to face disruptions
3️⃣ Accountability Gap: JAMB’s silence post-incident fuels speculation about systemic unpreparedness
