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  • Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere JAMB comment

    The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has called for the scrapping of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the process as outdated and stressful for Nigerian students.

    He made the call during a sermon on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Why he wants UTME scrapped

    Chinyere questioned the relevance of the examination, arguing that multiple layers of screening have made the admission process unnecessarily difficult.

    “In Nigeria, you will write WAEC; after WAEC, you will write JAMB; after JAMB, you will write post-UTME… If you don’t meet it, you wait another year and start afresh. It is very frustrating,” he said.

    He added that universities still conduct their own screening after UTME, making the central exam less meaningful.

    “JAMB has lost its relevance because universities still organise their own entrance examinations,” he stated.

    Concerns over safety and cost

    The cleric also criticised the early scheduling of the exams, particularly 6:30 a.m. sittings, which he said expose candidates to risks.

    He explained that many students are forced to travel long distances and lodge near their centres to meet the schedule, increasing financial pressure on families.

    “For all my adopted children under OPM scholarships going for JAMB, I have to give them extra money to pay for hotels,” he said.

    He further faulted the practice of posting candidates to centres far from their homes, noting that it heightens insecurity concerns.

    Reference to recent incident

    Chinyere cited reports of UTME candidates being abducted in Benue State, describing the development as unfortunate.

    “I saw something on social media that people who went to write JAMB in Benue were kidnapped. It is really very unfortunate,” he said.

    Comparison with foreign systems

    Drawing comparisons, the cleric said many countries operate more flexible admission systems without a single central examination like UTME.

    “If you want to get admission into universities outside Nigeria, you don’t need JAMB. You apply directly and get an offer,” he explained.

    His comments have added to ongoing debates about Nigeria’s admission process and the challenges faced by prospective university students.

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  • JAMB Arrests 2 Candidates, Parent Over ‘AI-Faked’ 2026 UTME Results

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has arrested two candidates and a parent for allegedly falsifying 2026 UTME results using artificial intelligence and other electronic tools, as it released scores for 632,788 candidates who sat the exam on April 16.

    The development highlights growing concerns over digital manipulation of examination records.

    What happened

    JAMB disclosed that the suspects were caught altering official SMS result notifications to fabricate scores and mislead parents and guardians.

    According to the board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the individuals are currently in custody and under investigation.

    “Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” he said.

    How the manipulation was done

    The board explained that the suspects tampered with messages sent from its official result-checking platforms to present fake scores.

    JAMB warned that any attempt to alter or falsify examination results constitutes a serious criminal offence.

    JAMB issues warning

    Benjamin cautioned candidates against interfering with official result messages sent through JAMB’s SMS channels, stressing that offenders will face prosecution.

    He said the board remains committed to protecting the integrity of its examination process.

    How to check results

    Candidates who sat for the April 16 exam can check their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number used during registration.

    JAMB noted that candidates can currently view their scores only, while printing of result slips will be enabled later.

    Ongoing examination

    The 2026 UTME commenced on April 16 and is scheduled to run until April 22 across centres nationwide, with results being released in batches.

  • Pastor Olumide Emmanuel Fires Back Over Church School Fees Criticism

    Popular cleric, Olumide Emmanuel, has responded to criticism over churches using offerings to establish schools that many members allegedly cannot afford, insisting such arguments ignore the realities of running large institutions.

    Speaking in a recent statement, the pastor defended religious organisations, arguing that several churches have built infrastructure that governments have failed to provide over the years.

    What he said

    Emmanuel dismissed the criticism in strong terms, stating that church-led developments often outperform public sector efforts.

    “Many of these pastors and churches that you are speaking against, what they are doing, your presidents and your governors have never done it,” he said.

    He referenced church-owned communities such as Redemption Camp and Canaanland, noting that they enjoy stable electricity and better infrastructure compared to many parts of the country.

    Why church schools charge high fees

    The cleric explained that once church funds are used to establish a school, the institution becomes financially independent and must sustain itself like a business.

    “When we carry church money to start a school, once we release that money into the school, the school becomes an entity,” he said.

    According to him, such schools must generate revenue to pay staff salaries and maintain operations, rather than relying continuously on church offerings.

    Ongoing debate

    The comments come amid growing public debate on the accessibility of church-owned universities, a conversation recently reignited by Omoyele Sowore, who criticised the high cost of tuition in some institutions.

    Emmanuel maintained that without financial sustainability, such schools would struggle to survive, insisting that the model is necessary for long-term operations.

  • JAMB Releases 632,788 UTME Results Hours After Exam, Warns Against Score Manipulation

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released the results of 632,788 candidates who sat for the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with scores made available less than 24 hours after the test.

    The board announced on Friday night that candidates who wrote the exam on Thursday, April 16, can now check their results, marking one of the fastest releases in its history.

    How to check results

    According to JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, candidates are required to send “UTMERESULT” via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used during registration.

    He clarified that only score viewing is currently available, adding that printing of result slips would be enabled later.

    “At this stage, candidates may view their results only; printing is not yet available,” the statement noted.

    Warning over malpractice

    JAMB also issued a strong warning against result falsification, stressing that manipulating scores or altering official messages is a criminal offence.

    The board disclosed that two candidates and one parent have already been arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence and other digital tools to falsify UTME results.

    Benjamin warned that offenders would face prosecution, adding that any candidate found guilty of examination malpractice would be dealt with according to the law.

    More results expected

    The 2026 UTME, which began on April 16, is scheduled to run until April 22 across centres nationwide.

    JAMB said additional results would be released in batches as the examination progresses.

  • JAMB To Release 2026 UTME Results Today, Speaks On Hijab Controversy

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that results for candidates who sat for the first batch of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will be released on Friday, April 17.

    When results will be out

    JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that candidates who wrote the exam on Thursday, April 16, should expect their results before midnight.

    He added that an official announcement would be made once the results are fully uploaded and accessible to the public.

    “This is to inform all candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME on Thursday, April 16, that their results will be released today before midnight,” he said.

    Assurance from JAMB

    The examination body assured candidates that updates would be shared promptly through its official channels.

    Candidates are advised to stay updated as the release process is completed.

    Board addresses hijab incident

    Meanwhile, JAMB has reacted to a reported incident involving candidates wearing hijab at a CBT centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The board clarified that the situation was caused by an “overzealous” ad hoc staff member who acted outside official guidelines.

    According to JAMB, it immediately intervened and directed that no candidate should be asked to remove or alter their hijab.

    “The Board promptly intervened by calling the ad hoc official involved to order and issuing immediate instructions that no candidate wearing a hijab should be asked to remove or alter it,” the statement said.

    The board maintained that such actions do not reflect its official policy.

  • FG Moves Credential Verification Online, Ends Physical Visits Nationwide

    The Federal Government has fully digitised the authentication and evaluation of academic credentials, directing all applicants to process requests online as part of efforts to improve transparency and service delivery in Nigeria’s education sector.

    How the new system works

    In a statement dated April 15, 2026, the Federal Ministry of Education said all applications will now be handled strictly through its official verification portal.

    Applicants are required to register and upload relevant documents via the platform, while academic transcripts must be sent directly by institutions through official email channels for verification.

    End of physical verification

    The ministry made it clear that applicants no longer need to visit its offices for physical verification, as the entire process has been automated.

    Officials say the shift is designed to simplify procedures, reduce delays, and improve data integrity across the system.

    Why the change was introduced

    According to the ministry, the move aligns with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda and aims to enhance efficiency, ensure data accuracy, and support evidence-based decision-making in the education sector.

    What applicants should know

    Applicants have been advised to strictly follow the new guidelines to avoid delays in processing.

    The ministry also provided official communication channels for enquiries, stressing the need for compliance to ensure smooth and timely verification.

    What it means going forward

    Authorities say the transition to a fully digital platform is expected to strengthen the credibility of academic credential verification in Nigeria, while reducing bottlenecks that previously affected the process.

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  • Bandits Abduct JAMB Candidates, Other Passengers in Benue Night Attack

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted several passengers, including candidates heading for the ongoing JAMB examination, after attacking a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in Benue State.

    Attack on night journey

    The incident occurred on Wednesday night when the bus, travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, was ambushed near its destination.

    Passengers on board were reportedly young men and women heading to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scheduled for Thursday.

    A source said the vehicle, carrying about 18 passengers, was waylaid around 8pm, with most occupants taken into the bush.

    “Two people, the driver and one passenger, managed to escape. Incidentally, the passengers were mainly young men and women going to write JAMB,” the source said.

    Police confirm abduction

    The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the attack, stating that 14 passengers were abducted while one victim escaped.

    He said security operatives had launched a rescue operation and were already combing the area.

    “I am in Otukpo now with my team, heading the operation. Fourteen passengers were kidnapped, and one escaped,” he said.

    Investigation underway

    The police also revealed that the journey may have violated transport regulations, noting that Benue Links has a policy against night travel.

    According to the commissioner, the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours, a development now under investigation.

    “But as we are investigating, we are on the ground to make sure that the victims are rescued,” he added.

    Local authorities react

    Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack and said security operatives had been deployed into nearby forests.

    “The victims are mainly young boys and girls coming to Otukpo to write JAMB,” he said.

    Rising insecurity on route

    The Makurdi-Otukpo road has witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, raising concerns among travellers and residents over growing insecurity in the area.

    The latest incident adds to fears around the safety of commuters, especially students travelling for national examinations.