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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently admitted to significant errors that affected the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), impacting nearly 388,000 candidates across 157 examination centres in Nigeria. This development has sparked widespread discussion among students, parents, and education stakeholders, raising questions about the reliability of JAMB’s examination processes. Here’s a detailed look at what happened, JAMB’s response, and what it means for the affected candidates.
What Went Wrong with the 2025 UTME?
According to JAMB, the errors in the 2025 UTME were caused by a technical glitch linked to a faulty software patch designed to shuffle answer options. This patch was not properly applied to some servers, resulting in grading discrepancies that affected the scores of 387,997 candidates. The issue was most pronounced in two zones:
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Lagos Zone: 206,610 candidates across 65 centres were affected.
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Owerri Zone: 173,387 candidates in 92 centres faced similar issues.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, publicly apologized for the oversight, taking full responsibility for the error. He attributed the glitch to negligence by one of JAMB’s service providers, which failed to implement the software patch correctly. This admission has been seen as a rare moment of transparency from the examination body, though it has not quelled all concerns.
JAMB’s Response: A Resit Examination
To address the issue, JAMB has taken swift action by scheduling a resit examination for all affected candidates. The resit is set to begin on May 16, 2025, and has been carefully coordinated to avoid clashing with the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations. JAMB has assured candidates that they will be notified of their resit details through multiple channels, including:
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SMS notifications
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Email alerts
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Phone calls
Candidates are also required to reprint their examination slips to access specific information about their resit schedule and centres. This move demonstrates JAMB’s commitment to ensuring fairness and giving affected candidates a chance to achieve accurate results.
Mixed Reactions from Candidates and Stakeholders
The announcement of the resit has elicited varied responses. Some candidates have expressed relief at the opportunity to retake the exam, hopeful that it will correct any inaccuracies in their initial scores. Others, however, are frustrated by the disruption, citing the additional stress and logistical challenges of preparing for another examination, especially with WAEC exams running concurrently.
The incident has also reignited debates about the reliability of JAMB’s processes. Critics argue that recurring technical issues in the UTME highlight the need for more robust systems and oversight to prevent such errors in the future. Education stakeholders are calling for JAMB to review its partnerships with service providers and invest in fail-proof technology to safeguard the integrity of the examination process.
What This Means for Affected Candidates
For the 387,997 candidates affected by the glitch, the resit represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
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Preparation is Key: Candidates should use the time leading up to May 16 to revise and prepare thoroughly for the resit. The exam format and syllabus remain unchanged, so focusing on weak areas can make a significant difference.
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Stay Informed: Ensure you check your registered phone number and email for JAMB’s notifications. Reprinting your examination slip as soon as possible will provide clarity on your resit centre and schedule.
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Manage Stress: The resit may feel like an added burden, but it’s also a chance to improve your performance. Stay positive, seek support if needed, and approach the exam with confidence.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for JAMB
The 2025 UTME errors serve as a wake-up call for JAMB to strengthen its systems and restore public confidence. While the board’s transparency and proactive response are commendable, preventing such issues in the future will require greater accountability from service providers and rigorous testing of technical infrastructure before examinations.
For now, affected candidates must focus on preparing for the resit, while stakeholders continue to advocate for reforms to ensure a smoother, more reliable examination process. As the resit approaches, we wish all candidates the best of luck and hope this opportunity leads to the results they deserve.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the 2025 UTME errors? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going!
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