The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has been mired in controversy following widespread technical and human errors that significantly impacted the performance of nearly 400,000 candidates. Initially, over 1.5 million out of the 1.9 million candidates who sat for the exam scored below 200 out of a possible 400, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the testing process. JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, acknowledged the errors, attributing them to technical glitches and human failings, particularly in Lagos and the South-East states. He subsequently announced a rescheduled examination for the affected candidates, which took place between Friday and Monday. The results of this rescheduled exam are expected to be released on Wednesday, according to JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin.
The fallout from the UTME debacle has been significant. Oloyede, who publicly accepted responsibility and even shed tears during his announcement of the resit, described the situation as “sabotage.” The South-East Caucus in the House of Representatives has called for his immediate resignation, citing a “catastrophic institutional failure” in the conduct of the examination. They criticized the short notice given for the rescheduled exam, the scheduling conflicts with ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), and the perceived inadequate communication from JAMB, arguing that these issues have caused undue stress and hardship for students and their families. The caucus has gone so far as to demand a complete cancellation of the 2025 UTME and a fresh examination after the conclusion of WASSCE and NECO exams.
The initial UTME results painted a grim picture of student performance. Only a tiny fraction of candidates – 0.24% – scored 320 and above, while just 0.63% scored 300 and above. The vast majority of candidates, over 75%, scored below 200, sparking a national debate about the fairness and credibility of the exam. This mass underperformance fueled suspicions of systemic issues within JAMB’s operations, leading to increased scrutiny of the board’s processes and demands for accountability. The South-East Caucus, in their statement, emphasized that the flawed conduct of the UTME has effectively denied students, especially those in the South-East, their constitutional right to equal and adequate educational opportunities.
The South-East Caucus’s call for Oloyede’s resignation underscores the depth of their dissatisfaction with JAMB’s handling of the situation. They argue that the remedial measures taken by the board, including the rescheduled examination, are insufficient and reflect a “knee-jerk, fire-brigade approach.” They are particularly critical of the short notice given for the resit, which they claim was less than 48 hours, forcing many students in the South-East, already grappling with ongoing WASSCE exams, to choose between the two. The caucus believes that this scheduling conflict further disadvantaged students and exacerbated the existing anxieties surrounding the UTME.
The demand for a fresh UTME after the conclusion of WASSCE and NECO highlights the caucus’s concern for fairness and equal opportunity. They contend that conducting the rescheduled exam amidst ongoing school leaving examinations placed an unfair burden on students, particularly those in the South-East, who were disproportionately affected by the initial technical glitches. By calling for a new exam after the completion of other crucial examinations, the caucus aims to ensure a level playing field for all candidates and mitigate the negative impact of the flawed initial UTME process. They also demand the suspension of key JAMB officials responsible for digital operations and logistics, emphasizing that accountability should extend beyond public apologies.
The 2025 UTME controversy reveals deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s education system. The mass underperformance, the technical failures, and the subsequent logistical challenges surrounding the rescheduled exam raise questions about the preparedness and capacity of JAMB to effectively administer such a critical examination. The South-East Caucus’s strong reaction, including the demand for Oloyede’s resignation, underscores the growing public distrust in the examination body and the urgent need for reforms to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the conduct of future UTME examinations. The incident highlights the vital role of the UTME in determining access to higher education and the significant consequences of its mismanagement for students and the future of the nation.
