JAMB Admits Errors in 2025 UTME, Reschedules Exam for Nearly 380,000 Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has acknowledged technical and administrative errors that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In response, it has rescheduled a fresh exam for nearly 380,000 affected candidates, especially in the South-East and Lagos State.
AMB Takes Responsibility for UTME Errors, Orders Resit for 379,997 Candidates
In a major development, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has admitted that several errors during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) negatively impacted the performance of many candidates.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, May 14. He confirmed that the Board would reschedule the UTME for 379,997 candidates in five South-East states and Lagos State.
“What should have been a moment of joy has been marred by one or two errors,” Professor Oloyede stated.
Rescheduling in Progress
Oloyede revealed that text notifications would be sent out to affected candidates beginning Thursday, May 15, 2025. He apologized on behalf of the board and accepted full responsibility for the situation.
“I apologise, I take full responsibility,” he said, labeling the problem as an act of "sabotage" without elaborating further on the specific nature of the errors.
2025 UTME Result Breakdown
On May 5, JAMB released the 2025 UTME results, sparking nationwide concern due to a sharp drop in performance:
Total candidates: ~1.9 million
Scored below 200: ~1.5 million (≈79%)
Scored 300 and above: 12,414 (less than 1%)
The poor performance led to public outcry, with numerous candidates and families voicing frustrations across social media. Some even filed legal actions against the examination board.
Investigations Underway
In response to the backlash, JAMB announced it has begun investigating the issues surrounding the 2025 exam. A panel of education and IT experts has been assembled, including:
Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria
Chief External Examiners (Heads of Tertiary Institutions)
Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa
Vice Chancellors and Measurement Experts
The team is expected to carry out a comprehensive review of the exam process and recommend long-term solutions.
Why This Matters:
The UTME is a crucial exam for students seeking admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. With the 2025 edition marred by technical glitches and performance controversy, JAMB’s transparency and readiness to act are vital in restoring public trust.
Final Thoughts:
This incident brings to light the importance of transparency, fairness, and technical reliability in national examinations. As stakeholders await a smooth resit process and the outcome of the ongoing review, the hope is that future UTME exercises will be better safeguarded against errors and systemic lapses.
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