Hopes are dashed for two UTME candidates at Sascon International School CBT Centre, Abuja, after a biometric verification failure bars them from writing their exam on Day 2 of the 2025 UTME.
“I studied all night and travelled from far, only to be told I can’t write because of biometrics,” says Isamial Muhammad, visibly disheartened.
His experience mirrors that of Tersee Deborah, who recounts a prolonged struggle with the biometric system. “This is the second time I’m having issues. I felt like I’m not meant to write JAMB,” she says. “We tried everything to capture my biometrics, but it wasn’t working. Eventually, they asked us to go home. I stayed back because I live far, and until my mum called that JAMB had sent a message for us to return for recapturing.”
Deborah, who describes herself as determined and prayerful, adds, “I’ve been reading so hard for this exam. JAMB should consider using more reliable machines, like the one at their headquarters, and create alternatives when things go wrong.”
In a interview with Plateaunews, PNO on Friday, the supervisor at the centre, Mr. Saadudeen Musa confirms the glitch. “Only two students had issues today. They’ve been recaptured and will be rescheduled,” he tells PNO. “The system has been stable overall.”
Despite the challenges, the second session proceeds without incident. “The exam began exactly on time,” said Michael Dayo, another candidate who took the exam. “Though there were brief network issues, I resumed right where I stopped.”
Compared to last year, our correspondent who monitored the same CBT centre reports a notable improvement in biometric verification among other technical issues, as over 15 students experienced biometric failures in a single session in 2024, unlike the just two recorded today.
The examination, which commenced on April 24, 2025, runs until May 5, and is conducted in two daily sessions across 250-capacity CBT centres nationwide.
Plateau News Online 