The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a significant clarification regarding the registration process and examination town selection for candidates taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, JAMB responded to a misleading publication claiming that candidates were restricted to taking the examination only within their state of registration. This assertion, widely circulated by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was deemed incorrect by JAMB's Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.
In a statement released in Abuja, Benjamin emphasized that candidates are free to register from any location in the country and may select any examination town nationwide, irrespective of their registration point. “In a recent interview with a NAN reporter, I clarified that candidates are not restricted to taking the examination within their state of registration. They have the flexibility to register anywhere in the country and select any town nationwide from any registration point,” he said.
JAMB's clarification comes as a relief to many candidates who may have been confused by the erroneous report. Benjamin explained that the Computer-Based Test Centres are organized according to towns for convenience, allowing candidates to choose their preferred examination location. For instance, a candidate who registers in Lagos can opt to take the examination in Sokoto or any other location of their choice.
“If a candidate selects Garki as their examination town, they must take the exam at a centre within Garki and cannot be posted outside the town, as has been wrongly alleged at times,” Benjamin clarified. He stressed the importance of rectifying this misunderstanding to prevent confusion among candidates, stating that those who have registered for the UTME and selected examination towns outside their state of registration are indeed permitted to sit for the examination in their chosen towns.
The flexibility in the registration process is designed to accommodate candidates’ preferences, ensuring they can choose a location that is convenient for them. “This flexibility is designed to accommodate candidates’ preferences and ensure they can choose a location that is convenient for them,” Benjamin added. He urged the public to disregard the erroneous report from NAN in its entirety.
In addition to addressing the misleading publication, JAMB also alerted the public to the circulation of false, misleading, and fraudulent messages targeting candidates registered for the 2025 UTME. Benjamin revealed that these messages are being disseminated by suspected fraudsters aiming to deceive and defraud unsuspecting individuals.
According to Benjamin, the perpetrators have exploited the UTME’s numerical code, 8863, and merged it with the Board’s official short code, 55019, to create a fake code that mimics JAMB’s messaging system. Through this fraudulent scheme, the fraudsters have been sending misleading messages to candidates, falsely claiming that there have been manipulations in their JAMB details and urging them to contact certain individuals who would “assist” in resolving these fabricated issues.
“We want to emphasize that these messages are not from JAMB. Security agencies have been notified and are actively tracking the perpetrators behind this scam,” Benjamin stated. He strongly advised candidates to ignore such messages, describing them as common tactics employed by fraudsters seeking to exploit the examination period to deceive and defraud innocent candidates.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and critically assess the messages they receive. Any communication that does not align with JAMB’s official channels or contains suspicious language or instructions should be treated as fraudulent,” he added.
With the UTME approaching, JAMB's clarifications and warnings are crucial for ensuring that candidates are well-informed and can navigate the examination process without falling victim to scams. The Board's commitment to providing accurate information and protecting candidates from fraudulent activities is a significant step in maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
As candidates prepare for this important examination, they are reminded of the importance of verifying information through official channels and being cautious of any communications that appear suspicious. JAMB's proactive measures in addressing misinformation and fraud are essential in fostering a secure environment for all candidates participating in the UTME.
In summary, JAMB has reiterated that candidates are free to select their examination towns regardless of their state of registration, and it has taken steps to combat fraudulent messages targeting candidates. The Board's efforts to clarify the registration process and warn against scams reflect its dedication to supporting candidates as they prepare for their future academic endeavors.
