The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced that the 2025 UTME Mop-Up Examination will be held on Saturday, 28th June 2025. All candidates who are eligible to sit for this special exam must print their examination notification slips starting from Monday, 23rd June 2025.

This exam is very important. It gives a second chance to candidates who were unable to write the main UTME or its resit due to different reasons like technical issues, absence, or biometric problems. Let’s explain everything in a simple way so that everyone understands.

Who is this Mop-Up Exam For?

This mop-up examination is not for everyone. It is only for special candidates who meet any of the following conditions:

1. 5,096 Spill-Over Candidates: These are candidates who couldn’t write their exams during the earlier dates of UTME because of problems like power failure, network errors, or other issues caused by the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

2. Candidates with Biometric Problems: Some students could not do the fingerprint verification during the main exam. Without fingerprint verification, JAMB does not allow anyone to take the test to prevent cheating. Now, they have another chance.

3. 91,742 Absentee Candidates: These are candidates who were absent either in the main UTME or during the resit. They have been given one last opportunity to write the exam. This is a special offer only for 2025. If they miss this one too, there will be no more chances.

In total, 96,838 candidates across 183 centres in Nigeria have been chosen for this mop-up exam. Some other candidates are on standby, waiting in case more space becomes available.

CBT Centres in Trouble: Bad Behaviour Will Not Be Tolerated

JAMB has also said that many CBT centres (Computer-Based Test centres) are being punished because they did bad things during the exam.

Some of these centres:

• Allowed cheating

• Helped people to impersonate others

• Collected money illegally from students

• Had poor equipment and caused technical problems

As a result, 113 CBT centres have been delisted (removed) or suspended. This means they are not allowed to host any future JAMB exams. Some of the centres are also being investigated by the police, and those found guilty will be taken to court.

Candidates who were earlier scheduled to write in those centres will be moved to new examination towns nearby, and JAMB asks for their understanding and patience.

Security Agencies Deserve a Big Thank You

JAMB has shown appreciation to the Nigerian security forces. These include:

• State Security Service (SSS)

• Nigeria Police Force (NPF)

• Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

These brave officers have worked hard to catch fraudsters who tried to cheat the system. They have arrested many people, including:

• Professional exam takers (people who get paid to write exams for others)

• JAMB officials who broke the rules

• School owners and tutorial centre operators who were part of cheating gangs

The government is not joking. Everyone involved in cheating will face punishment. Some may go to jail. Even if they are under-aged or their parents helped them, the law will still punish them.

Professional Exam Takers: Time Is Up

JAMB has warned that this mop-up exam is being closely watched to catch more professional exam writers. These are people, often university students, who pretend to be someone else to write the UTME for them.

Special invigilators and security officers have been trained and placed in different centres to stop this crime.

If any student is caught doing this, JAMB will:

• Inform the student’s university or institution

• Ask the school to expel the student

• Prosecute the student under the Examination Malpractice Act, 1999

Even students who are under 18 or whose parents helped them will face the law. No one is above the rules.

Exam Towns No Longer Allowed

Due to the investigations, some examination towns are now banned. Candidates who were earlier posted to these towns for the mop-up will be moved to nearby towns for their exams.

This may cause small travel problems, but JAMB is asking those affected to be patient. It is part of the effort to make sure the exam is fair for everyone.

How to Prepare for the Mop-Up Exam

Here are important tips for every candidate taking the mop-up UTME:

✅ 1. Print Your Exam Slip on Time

From Monday, 23rd June 2025, visit the JAMB website or the closest internet café to print your exam notification slip. The slip will show:

• Your exam date

• Time

• Centre

• Important instructions

If you don’t print this slip, you may miss your exam or go to the wrong place.

✅ 2. Arrive Early

The first session of the exam begins at 8:00 AM sharp. You must get to your centre at least one hour early. It’s better to wait than to be late.

JAMB advises candidates to arrive by 6:30 AM or 7:00 AM. This gives you enough time for:

• Biometric verification

• Finding your seat

• Relaxing before the test

✅ 3. Follow the Rules

Do not:

• Bring a phone

• Bring any form of writing paper or calculator

• Attempt to cheat

• Talk during the test

If you break the rules, you may be sent out or arrested.

JAMB’s Fight Against Cheating

This year’s UTME has seen more effort than ever from JAMB to stop cheating. According to the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, the fight against examination malpractice will continue until every part of the country is clean.

Dr. Alausa declared a “War on Exam Cheats”, and JAMB is fully supporting him. The Board is working day and night to make sure that:

• Only honest students are admitted into universities

• Cheaters are exposed and punished

• CBT centres follow the rules

• Schools stop supporting malpractice

This is the only way Nigeria can produce students who are smart, disciplined, and prepared for the future.

A Message to Candidates and Parents

Dear candidates, this is your last chance for 2025. If you are among those selected, please take it seriously. Do your best and avoid any act that can bring shame or punishment.

To parents and guardians, please do not help your child to cheat. It may seem helpful now, but it can destroy your child’s future. Support them with prayer, encouragement, and good advice.

Let’s work together to make our education system better and stronger.

Summary: What You Must Remember

• ✅ The 2025 UTME Mop-Up Exam is on Saturday, 28th June 2025.

• ✅ Printing of exam slips starts Monday, 23rd June 2025.

• ✅ Only 96,838 selected candidates can take this exam.

• ✅ Be at your CBT centre at least 1 hour before 8:00 AM.

• ✅ Follow all exam rules. No cheating or impersonation.

• ✅ Some CBT centres and exam towns have been removed.

• ✅ Security will be tight to catch professional exam takers.

Final Words

This mop-up exam is a great opportunity to prove yourself and move forward with your academic journey. JAMB is giving you this chance to succeed, but only if you play by the rules.

Let’s all be responsible. Let’s make Nigeria proud. Best of luck to every candidate!