Every year, students across Nigeria prepare for the UTME like it’s the World Cup of academics—flashcards flying, textbooks piled higher than egusi soup on Sunday, and prayer points sharper than JAMB past questions. But what happens when, just weeks (or even days) before the exam, JAMB announces a date change?
Well, chaos, anxiety, and—let’s be honest—a little bit of wahala.
You see, that is what has befallen the 2025 candidates who applied for the examination.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a change in the commencement date of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) that was previously billed to hold on Friday, April 25, to Thursday, April 24, 2025.
In this article, we dive deep into how a shift in the JAMB UTME date affects candidates’ preparedness, mental health, study plans, and maybe even their faith in the Nigerian education system.
The Shocking Reality of Date Changes
Let’s call it what it is: academic whiplash. A date change—whether it’s a postponement or a rescheduling to an earlier time—throws a wrench into what is already a high-stakes exam season.
1. The Psychological Rollercoaster
Students mentally condition themselves for the D-day. They’ve marked it on calendars, plastered it on their walls, and maybe even tattooed it (okay, hopefully not). Changing that date is like moving Christmas without notice.
An earlier date? Cue panic. A later date? Cue burnout. Neither is ideal, and both can seriously mess with confidence.
“JAMB na cruise” becomes the chorus in candidates’ WhatsApp groups.
2. Study Plans Go Gbas Gbos
Serious UTME candidates don’t just “wing it”—they follow structured study timetables.
When the date changes, especially with little notice, it’s like telling a marathon runner mid-race that the finish line has moved—twice.
– Early exam date? Students scramble to revise six months’ worth of material in two weeks. Expect a nationwide coffee shortage.
– Postponement? The risk of overstudying is real. Yes, that’s a thing. Information overload kicks in, and motivation fades. Suddenly, TikTok becomes more appealing than Physics.
3. The Domino Effect On External Preparations
Let’s not forget the logistics: tutorial centers, parents, guardians, and even school schedules get caught in the web.
– Parents rebook transport and accommodation.
– Tutorial centers scramble to adjust crash programs.
– Schools juggle mock exams, graduations, and prom plans (well… for the fancy ones).
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This isn’t just a change in date—it’s a change in everything.
How Candidates Can Adapt Without Losing Their Minds
If you’re preparing for UTME and JAMB pulls the ol’ switcheroo on dates, don’t panic.
Here’s what to do:
– Flex your study plan. Think of it like Google Maps rerouting you—same destination, just a different path.
– Don’t overstress. Anxiety doesn’t help retention. Breaks, breathing, and maybe a little comedy skit from BrainJotter can keep you sane.
– Stay updated. Follow JAMB’s official social media accounts. Not that random “EduPlug Naija” page that once said WAEC was canceled forever.
– Talk about it. Share with mentors or support groups. You’re not alone in the confusion.
So, Is This Fair to Candidates? Let’s Stir the Pot
Let’s be blunt: changing exam dates is unfair. Period.
It disadvantages students who are already battling limited resources, erratic power supply, and academic pressure.
In a system where success depends on precision, any unpredictability only widens the gap between the privileged and the struggling.
The bigger question: Should JAMB be held more accountable? Or is this just another Nigerian institution doing “as e dey go”?
Let’s hear from you—yes, you reading this article. Drop your comments below. Do you think JAMB owes candidates more structure, or should students learn to be more flexible in a country where change is the only constant?
