THE JOINT Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed plans to conduct an additional mop-up examination for candidates who were unable to participate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, made this announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholder meeting convened to address challenges encountered during the 2025 UTME.
Oloyede stated that the board would facilitate a special mop-up exercise to accommodate approximately 5.6% of registered candidates who missed the initial examination.
He emphasized that all affected candidates, irrespective of their reasons for absence, would be eligible to participate in the supplementary examination.
“Traditionally, we conduct a single mop-up examination nationwide to address logistical or technical issues faced by candidates,” Oloyede explained.
He further added: “However, on this occasion, we are instituting an additional session, extending the opportunity even to those who were absent during the main examination.
“This is not an extraordinary measure; it is akin to administering a make-up test in an academic setting. Our objective is to ensure fairness while preventing any potential abuse of the process.”
Clarification on UTME’s Purpose
The Registrar also addressed misconceptions regarding the UTME’s role, clarifying that it functions as a placement test rather than an assessment of academic achievement.
He reiterated that the examination is designed to rank candidates based on available institutional vacancies, not to evaluate intelligence or comprehensive academic potential.
Oloyede further noted that while UTME scores contribute to admission considerations, they are not the sole determinant. He highlighted the significance of combined performance metrics, including post-UTME evaluations and secondary school assessments, in determining a candidate’s eligibility.
Response to Criticism and Commitment to Improvement
Acknowledging the emotional impact of UTME result announcements, Oloyede dismissed claims that administrative challenges stemmed from institutional incompetence or bias. He reaffirmed JAMB’s dedication to resolving operational issues while rejecting unfounded allegations of ethnic or conspiratorial motives.
“I must emphasize that accepting responsibility for these challenges does not imply a lack of capability,” he stated. “There is no basis for conspiracy theories—sometimes, unforeseen complications arise despite years of successful execution. We remain committed to upholding fairness and accountability.”
Oloyede cautioned against exploiting difficulties to propagate divisive narratives and urged stakeholders to refrain from ethnic profiling in educational discourse.
He commended the resilience of candidates and the diligence of JAMB personnel in navigating the examination process.
The board reassured the public of its continued efforts to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the UTME system. (NAN)
