System failure caused hitches and delays in the commencement of the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at some centres in Lagos on Saturday.

The UTME is organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and this year’s edition is expected to hold over a 14-day period in 521 centres in Nigeria and eight overseas countries.

JAMB adopted the Computer-Based Test (CBT) model for the examination.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) monitoring the commencement of the examination reported that it was a mixed grill for candidates with some complaining, while others were commending JAMB.

Some of the candidates praised JAMB for the smooth arrangement at some centres while others criticised the board for its shoddy arrangements “from year to year’’.

The test could not start at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Oshodi as scheduled because of system failure that made accreditation of candidates to commence at 10.30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.

A JAMB Supervisor at the DBI, Mr Stephen Ignatius, told NAN that the delay was due to a system failure from Abuja.

“Nevertheless, we will ensure that we have the exam for the 2 hours 30 minutes as stipulated by JAMB.’’

“Three hundred and fifty candidates are expected to sit for the exam at this centre,’’ he stated.

A blind candidate, who was relocated to the Yaba College of Technology, Mr Adeniyi Omoare, said there were many lapses on the part of the organisers of the examination.

Omoare expressed worry over his relocation from the DBI, lamenting that lapses on the part of JAMB could mar his performance.

“I came from Ondo State to take the test.

“But I must commend JAMB for calling me earlier to notify me of the date, time and place to take the test,’’ he said.