Following widespread public outcry over poor performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that technical failures compromised the integrity of results in over 150 centres nationwide.
The board announced that 379,997 candidates affected by the disruption will be given another opportunity to sit for the exam, beginning May 16. The glitch, which impacted 157 of the 887 exam centres, has been identified as a major contributor to the unusually low scores recorded this year.
JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, acknowledged the error during a media briefing in Abuja, describing it as a regrettable flaw in the system. He reiterated the board’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and corrective action.
This development follows the release of troubling statistics showing that more than three-quarters of candidates scored below 200 marks, with fewer than 1% scoring above 300. The figures triggered concern from parents, candidates, and stakeholders who questioned the credibility of the 2025 UTME.
In addition to technical issues, JAMB disclosed ongoing investigations into over 2,000 suspected cases of malpractice and announced that special cases, such as biometric failures and blind candidates, were still under review.
As criticism mounts, the board has fast-tracked its post-examination audit and engaged external experts to assess its systems. Meanwhile, education officials have defended JAMB’s computer-based testing approach, citing its effectiveness in curbing cheating.
The rescheduled examination is expected to restore confidence among affected candidates while addressing the credibility crisis surrounding this year’s exercise.
