By Victor Itodo Abuh
IN WHAT has become one of the most turbulent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) in recent years, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is facing scrutiny after admitting to technical glitches that compromised the integrity of results for hundreds of thousands of candidates across Nigeria.
The 2025 UTME, which began on April 24 and ended on May 5, was intended to usher in a more seamless computer-based testing experience. However, the process was marred by significant technical disruptions at 157 centres, prompting JAMB to mandate that over 370,000 candidates retake the exam.
“Man Proposes, God Disposes”
This was the phrase JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, used during a press briefing to describe the unexpected challenges that undermined this year’s UTME.
“We sincerely apologize to all affected candidates. Despite our preparations, unforeseen issues arose, particularly at CBT centres in Lagos and parts of the South-East,” Prof. Oloyede stated. “It is our duty to ensure fairness, and therefore, candidates from the 157 compromised centres will retake their exams.”
The rescheduled examinations were retaken on Friday, May 16, 2025, after affected candidates received new notifications via SMS, email, and phone calls.
Anatomy of a Breakdown
The affected centres experienced issues ranging from server downtimes and biometric verification failures to abrupt session terminations. In some cases, candidates were logged out mid-exam without the opportunity to complete their tests.
One candidate, who took the UTME in Nasarawa State, described her ordeal thus: “I was just 20 minutes into the Use of English section when the system shut down. They told us to wait, but after 45 minutes, nothing happened.” She requested anonymity.
Public Reaction and Growing Concerns
Many education stakeholders and civil society organizations have called for greater transparency in the CBT accreditation process and improved monitoring of centres.
“The recurring issues with UTME in recent years point to a deeper systemic failure. Students shouldn’t bear the brunt of technical inadequacies,” said Kemi Akinbo, an education policy analyst.
The Cost of Disruption
Parents and guardians have also expressed frustration, not only over the emotional toll on students but also the financial burden. The total registration cost for candidates ranged from ₦7,200 to ₦8,700, depending on whether they opted for the mock examination.
With many candidates forced to travel for the rescheduled exam, families grappled with additional expenses for transport and accommodation.
Looking Ahead
While JAMB insisted the retaken exam a measure of fairness, the recurring technical flaws in the examination process raise questions about the readiness of Nigeria’s digital education infrastructure.
In the words of Prof. Oloyede, “No system is perfect, but we owe it to the Nigerian child to get it right. We are reviewing all affected centers and taking disciplinary action where negligence is proven.”
For now, the nation watches as JAMB attempts to salvage its credibility and ensure that affected candidates are not unfairly disadvantaged.
