The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that 379,997 candidates will retake the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following widespread technical issues and reported irregularities.
This announcement was made during a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday, where the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, admitted fault and took full responsibility for the situation.
“It was a combination of human error and technology. We are sincerely sorry,” he stated.
The board explained that the decision came after numerous candidates complained of system failures, unusually low scores, and inconsistencies during the just-concluded UTME.
These concerns were particularly common in Lagos and the Southeastern states of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra.
According to the breakdown, 206,610 candidates in Lagos will be required to retake the UTME, while 173,387 candidates in the Southeast will also sit for the exam again.
In total, 65 centres in Lagos and 92 centres in the Owerri Zone have been identified for the rescheduled examination.
Meanwhile, education stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to this development.
Some believe the board’s transparency is commendable, while others are worried about the emotional and academic strain it may place on the students involved.
The UTME retake announcement is viewed by many as a necessary step to maintain fairness and credibility in the admission process.
Moreover, it may serve as a wake-up call for improved technological infrastructure and proper training for exam centre personnel.
In addition, JAMB is expected to implement better oversight and accountability mechanisms going forward to prevent a recurrence of these errors.
Prof. Oloyede’s open apology and acceptance of responsibility have sparked both sympathy and debate nationwide.
“I take full responsibility for the negligence of my staff,” he said, emphasizing that JAMB remains committed to delivering fair and error-free assessments.
Furthermore, the board is expected to provide adequate support to the affected candidates to ensure that the rescheduled exams run smoothly.
Therefore, while the situation is unfortunate, many hope it marks the beginning of reform and improvement in Nigeria’s examination system.
