A cloud of sorrow descended on Oyo State on Saturday morning as a fatal road crash on the Oyo-Ogbomoso highway claimed the lives of several students heading to write their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to a distressing video clip obtained by SaharaReporters, the tragedy struck when a commercial vehicle transporting the candidates suffered a catastrophic brake failure, leading to a devastating accident. The students, filled with hopes and dreams of securing admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, had their futures abruptly cut short.
Eyewitnesses who rushed to the scene described the horrific moment the vehicle lost control, somersaulted, and ultimately crushed the students’ aspirations. The video was heartbreakingly captioned: “Fatal accident claimed the lives of students heading to write JAMB in Ogbomoso on Oyo road, Oyo State.”
As of press time, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, has yet to respond to multiple calls and messages seeking confirmation and further details about the incident.
This heart-wrenching development comes at a time when the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is actively battling irregularities during the ongoing UTME exercise. The board recently announced the arrest of 27 impersonators attempting to undermine the integrity of the examination. According to JAMB, the culprits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for immediate prosecution.
In a related move to safeguard the credibility of the examination, JAMB has delisted four Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for failing to meet its rigorous technical standards. The affected centres include:
Adventure Associate, Behind Sheshe Supermarket, Off Hadejia Road, Kano, Kano State
Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano, Kano State
Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 1, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal
Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 2, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal
While lauding the outstanding performance of 883 accredited centres, JAMB sternly warned that any centre, irrespective of ownership or influence, would be delisted if found wanting.
“Candidates previously assigned to the delisted centres are urged to urgently reprint their examination slips to reflect their new venues and dates,” the board said in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin. “We regret any inconvenience caused but will not entertain excuses from candidates who fail to comply.”
As of Friday, April 25, 2025, JAMB confirmed that over 900,000 candidates have successfully completed their UTME out of the 2,083,600 registered candidates nationwide.
Amidst efforts to sanitize the system and ensure a credible examination process, Saturday’s tragic incident has cast a long shadow over what should have been a moment of hope and new beginnings for Nigeria’s future leaders.
PIONEER NEWS 