In an unprecedented move, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that a total of 379,997 candidates will be required to retake the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following widespread technical failures and human errors that marred the initial testing process.
The revelation was made during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, where JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, became visibly emotional while addressing the media. Fighting back tears, the registrar accepted full responsibility for the mishap, acknowledging the distress caused to thousands of Nigerian students and their families.
“It was a combination of human error and technology,” Oloyede stated. “We are sincerely sorry. We take full responsibility and we are doing everything possible to correct the situation.”
According to the board, the affected candidates span across key regions, with 206,610 candidates based in Lagos and 173,387 from the South East states of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Anambra. A total of 157 examination centers—65 in Lagos and 92 in the Owerri Zone—have been identified for the re-administered exams.
The decision comes in response to a surge of complaints ranging from technical glitches and login failures to suspiciously low scores and allegations of procedural irregularities. The situation sparked public outrage, particularly among candidates and stakeholders who rely heavily on the UTME for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Professor Oloyede emphasized that the board is implementing stringent corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. “We owe the candidates and the nation a credible examination process. This has been a humbling experience, and it will serve as a turning point for improvement,” he affirmed.
Affected candidates are urged to monitor official JAMB platforms for updates on rescheduled dates, times, and venue information.
This development has once again highlighted the urgent need for robust technological infrastructure and accountability in Nigeria’s educational assessment systems. As the dust settles, stakeholders continue to call for transparency, reform, and a student-centered approach to academic testing nationwide.
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