The Creativity Site

  Candidates leaving a CBT centre after UTME examination By Victor Olubiye As the 2026 UTME draws to a close, a silent divide is already forming among candidates across Nigeria. While thousands settle into a routine of waiting, hoping, and endlessly checking their phones, a smaller but smarter group is taking deliberate steps that could determine whether they gain admission—or lose another year. For many families, this period may look like a pause. In reality, it is one of the most decisive stages in a student’s academic journey. The gap between writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and securing admission can stretch for months. Education experts warn that treating this period casually often leads to missed opportunities, costly mistakes, and avoidable delays. Official logo of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the agency in charge of UTME in Nigeria One of the smartest decisions candidates...

  Official logo of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the agency in charge of UTME in Nigeria By Victor Olubiye As the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) winds down, thousands of candidates across Nigeria are already battling anxiety over low scores. But education experts say one truth many students overlook is this: a low UTME score does not automatically mean the end of their university dreams. Every year, millions sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, a central requirement for admission into tertiary institutions. Yet, despite its importance, it is not the only pathway into higher education. Candidates writing the UTME examination in a CBT Centre In reality, several alternative admission routes exist—many of which are officially recognized by universities and polytechnics across the country. One of the most popular alternatives is the JUPEB (Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board) programme. This one-year foundat...

  Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) logo By Victor Olubiye When Deborah saw her 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result—257—she was not only disappointed; she was confused. For a candidate who had previously scored 277 and spent months preparing even more intensely for this year’s examination, the figure on the screen did not reflect her expectations, effort, or confidence after the test. “I was surprised… how can I have 257 as my aggregate?” she said. “I was really expecting something above 300.” Deborah, who is aspiring to study Medicine and Surgery, says her preparation this year was driven by a clear goal: securing a competitive score that would increase her chances of admission into a Nigerian university and potentially qualify her for scholarship opportunities. A Second Attempt, Higher Expectations Unlike her first attempt at the UTME, Deborah approached the 2026 examination with what she describes as “more structure, discipline, and seriou...