JAMB Orders Emergency Review of 2025 UTME Following Public Outcry Over Mass Failure, Technical Glitches
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced an urgent and comprehensive review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) following widespread criticism, mass failure, and viral complaints of technical irregularities during the conduct of the test.
This decision follows the release of shocking performance data indicating that over 1.5 million out of 1.9 million candidates scored below 200 marks barely halfway through the maximum 400-point scale. The staggering failure rate has ignited heated national discourse and calls for accountability.
In a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the examination body acknowledged receiving an “unusual volume of complaints” since results were published last Friday. The board confirmed that the situation has raised red flags serious enough to warrant immediate scrutiny across all critical stages of the UTME process: registration, examination, and result collation.
“We are particularly concerned about the spike in complaints, especially from a few states where candidates have consistently reported technical disruptions. We are leaving no stone unturned,” Benjamin stated.
Massive Backlash and Systemic Flaws
Since the results dropped, social media platforms have exploded with grievances. The hashtag #ThisIsNotMyResult trended nationwide, with thousands of candidates alleging system failures, question display errors, and unexplained score discrepancies. Many candidates and their parents insist the scores published do not reflect their actual performance.
Numerous reports cited cases of:
Frozen computer systems mid-exam
Incomplete or duplicated question sets
Interface crashes and login malfunctions
The situation has escalated to the point where a class-action lawsuit is reportedly being considered by affected candidates, citing lack of transparency and potential breach of examination integrity.
Expert Review Panel Assembled
In response to the growing storm, JAMB has accelerated its post-examination review process typically reserved for later in the year. The board is collaborating with independent experts from:
The Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria
Leading Vice Chancellors and Chief Examiners
The Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa
The goal is to conduct a forensic audit of the UTME infrastructure, software systems, and result processing mechanisms.
Benjamin stressed that if lapses are identified, the board will “implement appropriate remedial measures promptly.”
Ministry and Leadership Reactions
Despite the backlash, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, defended the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system during a televised interview, describing it as a major tool in curbing examination malpractice.
“The CBT model has transformed the credibility of our national exams. While complaints must be investigated, we must not forget how far we’ve come,” Alausa said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, downplayed the uproar, noting that similar performance trends have emerged in past years. He warned against politicizing the review process and urged candidates to exercise patience while investigations are ongoing.
Looking Ahead
This latest UTME controversy raises serious questions about the technological infrastructure behind Nigeria’s high-stakes testing system. If the review confirms systemic flaws, JAMB’s credibility and the academic future of millions could face severe damage.
Until then, millions of anxious candidates await clarity, transparency, and most importantly justice.
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