Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has addressed the uproar surrounding the 2025 UTME results, revealing how a technical error compromised results in 157 centres across Lagos and South-East zones. Here are the key points from his address:
- Error Origin: An update meant to fix unshuffled exam questions in the LAG zone led to faulty uploads in 157 centres.
- Scope: A total of 379,997 candidates in Lagos (206,610) and Owerri (173,387) zones were affected.
- Technical Oversight: Patch updates by service providers failed in some centres, causing missing or incomplete uploads.
- Remedial Action: Affected candidates will retake the UTME between May 16–19, 2025.
- WAEC Coordination: JAMB is working with WAEC to prevent exam schedule clashes.
- Expert Review: External examiners and independent experts confirmed the glitch and approved the makeup plan.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede’s public confession marks a rare moment of institutional humility in Nigeria’s education sector. His detailed breakdown shows a high-level acknowledgment of internal flaws and a shift in how public agencies handle accountability. The registrar’s openness—naming specific zones, technical failures, and even commending critics—sets a new bar for transparency.
Yet, the systemic implications are enormous. Nearly 380,000 students now face emotional stress, delayed schedules, and distrust in the UTME process. Even with remedial exams, confidence has been shaken.
JAMB’s swift move to admit fault and offer a resit is commendable. But this episode serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s examination ecosystem—one where reliance on technology must be matched by human competence and real-time quality assurance. For the affected candidates, it’s not just about rewriting an exam; it’s about regaining trust in a system that should have safeguarded their future.
