Since 2013, when the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) took a bold step toward digitizing Nigeria’s university entrance examination by introducing the Computer-Based Test (CBT) model, It has received different accolades and seen as a progressive shift in the country’s education system—one that aimed to improve efficiency, reduce malpractice, and align Nigeria with global best practices.
What started as a pilot eventually became the standard examination mode by 2015. It was a commendable transformation that placed Nigeria on a new digital path.
Over the years, CBT gained increasing public acceptance. With thousands of accredited centres across the country, JAMB appeared to have established a robust digital testing infrastructure. The CBT model eliminated the errors associated with manual marking, ensured instant result processing, and reduced the logistics costs of printing and transporting paper scripts.
However, beneath the surface of this digitization lay lingering structural weaknesses that exploded during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It was until now that the narratives about the institution is toned along inefficiency due to a series of technological hitches that disrupted what should have been a seamless experience for hundreds of thousands of candidates nationwide.
Reports emerged from several states indicating massive system failures, ranging from unresponsive terminals to candidate login failures and slow server responses. In many cases, examinations were delayed, rescheduled, or outright cancelled, leading to widespread frustration among candidates and their parents.
Some candidates were forced to wait hours before accessing their test portals, while others were unable to log in throughout their scheduled sessions. Even where systems functioned, glitches often occurred mid-exam, causing sudden logouts or data loss. The situation was compounded in remote areas where internet connectivity and power supply were unstable. The outcome was a public relations setback for JAMB, casting a shadow on the credibility of a system once hailed as revolutionary.
The JAMB registrar admitted that some of the hitches were due to technical overload and sabotage at certain centres. Despite prior test runs and accreditation processes, it was evident that the examination body underestimated the scale of infrastructural and operational challenges that could arise during simultaneous, nationwide digital testing. The 2025 experience highlighted the urgency of strengthening the CBT system not just for efficiency, but also for resilience.
While critics questioned the Board’s preparedness, many education stakeholders called for deeper collaboration between JAMB and technology companies with capacity in building large-scale, fault-tolerant digital platforms. For a country with over a million UTME candidates annually, the burden of digital testing requires a new level of innovation, investment, and foresight.
Technology firms such as Alluvium, have since offered a range of solutions that could help JAMB prevent future occurrences. Central to these solutions is the development of a more redundant server infrastructure, with backup systems spread across multiple regions. This ensures that if one data centre fails, others pick up the load without service disruption. Cloud-based platforms with dynamic load balancing would also ensure smoother delivery during peak periods.
Another proposed solution is edge computing. By installing localized servers at CBT centres, companies can help reduce reliance on central servers and internet connectivity. Candidates can take their tests on local systems, with data automatically syncing to JAMB’s main servers post-exam. This model is already in use in other large-scale testing ecosystems around the world.
Equally important is the integration of offline-first CBT platforms. These platforms are designed to function without constant internet access, allowing candidates to complete their exams even when there are network interruptions. Their responses are saved locally and uploaded once connectivity is restored, ensuring no candidate is disadvantaged due to technical issues.
Experts also recommend the use of AI-powered monitoring tools that detect performance bottlenecks and suspicious activities in real time. These tools can track system health, detect cheating attempts, and automatically flag or correct issues. Combined with biometric authentication, such tools would enhance the security and fairness of the testing process.
The 2025 glitches also revealed the need for CBT simulation programs. These are essentially dry runs of the actual test, conducted in all accredited centres weeks before the exam. They help expose technical flaws specific to each location—be it hardware failure, insufficient bandwidth, or staff incompetence—allowing time for rectification before the main exam.
To support these innovations, technology firms propose the development of a centralized incident response system. This dashboard would give JAMB real-time visibility into each centre’s status and performance. Technical teams could respond immediately to disruptions, and minor issues could even be resolved remotely before escalating.
Perhaps one of the most forward-looking ideas is the use of blockchain technology to secure exam data and provide transparent audit trails. Each step of the exam process—from login to submission—can be recorded immutably, preventing tampering and reinforcing public trust in the exam process.
Training and certification of CBT centre staff remains an underrated yet critical area. Many 2025 glitches were attributed to human errors—untrained personnel unable to troubleshoot basic problems or follow digital protocols. A national training program for all exam centre operators could drastically reduce system downtime caused by operator inefficiency.
Ultimately, the vision of a fully digital, equitable, and reliable examination system in Nigeria is achievable. The setbacks of 2025 serve as a reminder that technology alone cannot solve complex problems—it must be complemented with planning, investment, and strategic partnerships.
JAMB, to its credit, has remained committed to the CBT model. It recognizes the flaws of the past and has indicated willingness to collaborate with tech companies to enhance the system. What is now required is a proactive rather than reactive approach—one that anticipates future problems and integrates preventive solutions at every level of the testing architecture.
The Nigerian public, especially students and parents, deserve a CBT system that is as reliable as it is innovative. JAMB has the mandate, but it needs the technical ecosystem to deliver on this promise. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and facilitating stronger partnerships, the Board can turn the painful lessons of 2025 into a roadmap for future success.
The CBT era in Nigeria must evolve from just a technological alternative to a robust, trust-driven pillar of the nation’s education system. And with the right blend of innovation, integrity, and intentionality, that future is within reach.