Abuja: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that candidates for its examinations will be seated within the state where they registered. Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Public Communication Advisor for JAMB, provided this assurance during an interview in Abuja.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Benjamin clarified that while some candidates for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) had to sit for mock exams outside their registration state, this was due to limited availability of Computer Based Test (CBT) centers for the mock exercise. He emphasized that for the main examination, all registered centers would be operational, thus avoiding the need for candidates to travel outside their registration state.

Dr. Benjamin explained that the occurrence of candidates being directed to centers outside their state for mock exams happened only if centers in their state, such as Abuja, were fully booked, and nearby centers, like those in Nasarawa State, had availability. He assured that this scenario is unlikely for the main examination due to the increased number of centers.

He further noted that the proximity of examination centers is often determined by how early candidates register for the UTME. If a local center is filled, candidates may be assigned to any available center within their state. This process ensures that no candidate is required to travel beyond their state of registration for the main examination.

In a previous statement, Benjamin acknowledged the delays and challenges some candidates faced during the mock examination, attributing them to the implementation of new features aimed at improving the UTME process. He expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and highlighted that the mock exams are designed to test these new features and provide candidates with a trial experience.

He concluded by encouraging candidates to remain patient and cooperative, as these efforts are intended to ensure a smoother examination process that aligns with their best interests. The 2025 UTME is set to commence on April 25.