The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was disrupted by widespread UTME glitches, with candidates across Nigeria reporting technical failures alongside an abduction incident that raised concerns about safety and fairness. The examination, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, experienced operational challenges that affected candidates in multiple centres nationwide.
The UTME is a national entrance examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for admission into tertiary institutions. In 2026, about 2.2 million candidates sat for the exam across 966 accredited Computer Based Test centres. The large-scale exercise is conducted in batches across several days, reflecting its critical role in Nigeria’s education system.
Concerns about infrastructure gaps have persisted over the years, particularly around stable electricity and internet connectivity. These factors remain central to the performance of computer-based testing systems and the ability of candidates to complete their examinations without disruption.
Candidates reported that UTME glitches included repeated system shutdowns, network failures, and sudden logouts during active sessions. In several cases, candidates were unable to complete their exams despite being logged in on time.
One candidate stated: “My exam was for 9:00am but started around 12:00-12.30 pm… I was logged out before finishing English.” Reports also indicated inconsistencies in time tracking and delays in starting scheduled sessions at some centres.
The technical issues were linked to unstable connectivity and power challenges in some Computer Based Test centres. These disruptions affected candidate performance and raised questions about the uniformity of the examination process across locations.
In addition to UTME glitches, a security incident involving candidates travelling to write the examination was reported in Benue State. On April 16, gunmen abducted 16 passengers travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, including eight UTME candidates.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, and the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the incident. Security agencies later secured the release of the victims, who were presented publicly on April 19.
The occurrence of UTME glitches across multiple centres highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring consistent and reliable examination conditions nationwide. Technical disruptions may affect candidate outcomes and raise concerns about fairness in a high-stakes national test.
The abduction incident also draws attention to security risks associated with travel to examination centres, particularly for candidates in areas facing safety challenges. These issues have broader implications for public confidence in national examination processes.
