Lagos, Nigeria – May 16, 2025 – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a rescheduling of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for 379,997 candidates across Lagos and five South-East states, following disruptions attributed to technical errors and suspected examination sabotage. The decision, described as a proactive step to ensure fairness, has sparked both relief and debate among stakeholders.
The affected candidates, who faced challenges during the initial UTME conducted from April 25, 2025, began receiving text notifications from JAMB starting May 15, 2025, detailing their new examination dates. The rescheduled exams commenced on May 16, 2025, across 870 accredited Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centers, with JAMB assuring candidates of a seamless process. Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, publicly accepted responsibility for the glitches, issuing a heartfelt apology during a press briefing in Abuja. “We are committed to ensuring every candidate gets a fair chance to pursue their dreams,” Oloyede stated, emphasizing the board’s swift response to the irregularities.
Preliminary investigations revealed a mix of technical malfunctions and deliberate attempts to undermine the examination process in certain centers. While JAMB has not disclosed specific details of the sabotage, sources within the board hinted at coordinated efforts to manipulate results, prompting a robust security overhaul for the rescheduled exams. The board has also deployed additional monitoring teams to prevent recurrence.
For many candidates, the rescheduling brings a second chance but also anxiety. Chidinma Okeke, a 17-year-old aspirant from Enugu, shared her mixed emotions: “I was devastated when my exam crashed midway. Now, I’m studying harder, but the uncertainty is stressful.” Parents and guardians have echoed similar sentiments, with some calling for compensation for travel and preparation costs incurred during the initial attempt.
The rescheduling comes amid broader scrutiny of JAMB’s 2025 UTME, which saw over 78% of its 1.9 million candidates score below 200 out of 400. The board has launched a comprehensive review of the entire process, from registration to result release, to address public concerns about mass underperformance. Education analysts suggest that the technical issues may have exacerbated candidates’ challenges, particularly in high-pressure CBT environments.
JAMB has urged candidates to check their registered phone numbers for updates and visit www.jamb.gov.ng for further guidance. The board also clarified that results from the rescheduled exams will be processed promptly to align with the 2025/2026 admission timeline. Meanwhile, discussions on social platforms like X reveal a polarized public, with some praising JAMB’s accountability and others questioning the board’s reliance on technology-prone systems.
As the rescheduled UTME unfolds, all eyes are on JAMB to deliver a hitch-free examination and restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process. Candidates are advised to stay focused and adhere to exam guidelines, as the nation awaits the outcome of this critical academic milestone.
