The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria has sparked intense debate following a technical glitch that disrupted the process for thousands of candidates, particularly in Lagos and the South-East. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), led by Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has been at the center of a storm of allegations, with accusations of regional bias and calls for accountability. In a recent statement, Oloyede dismissed claims of a conspiracy against any part of the country, attributing the issue to human error and technical challenges. This blog post dives deep into the controversy, exploring its origins, responses, and broader implications for Nigeria’s education system and national unity.
The UTME, a critical gateway for Nigerian students seeking admission into tertiary institutions, is a high-stakes examination administered annually by JAMB. In 2025, the process was marred by a significant technical glitch that affected approximately 379,997 candidates, primarily in Lagos and the South-East. The glitch, which occurred during the examination period, disrupted the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system, preventing many candidates from completing their exams or receiving results promptly.
According to JAMB, the issue stemmed from a combination of human error and technical malfunctions at certain CBT centers. While JAMB swiftly acknowledged the problem, the fallout was immediate, with candidates and stakeholders raising concerns about fairness and transparency. The concentration of affected candidates in the South-East fueled suspicions of deliberate sabotage, given Nigeria’s history of regional tensions and perceived inequities in public institutions.
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s Response: No Conspiracy
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB’s Registrar since 2016, has built a reputation for transparency and reform in the agency. Addressing the glitch, he categorically denied any conspiracy targeting any region or group, emphasizing that JAMB treats all candidates as Nigerians with equal rights to access tertiary education. In a public apology, Oloyede took full responsibility for the mishap, explaining that it was an unintended error rather than a systemic plot. “There is no conspiracy theory against any part of the country,” he stated firmly, urging Nigerians to view the incident as a technical setback rather than a regional slight.
To mitigate the impact, JAMB rescheduled exams for the affected 379,997 candidates, ensuring they could retake the test without additional cost. Oloyede also outlined measures to prevent future occurrences, including enhanced training for CBT center operators and upgrades to the technical infrastructure. His candid acknowledgment and swift action earned praise from some quarters but failed to quell the outrage from others.
The glitch’s regional concentration, particularly in the South-East, reignited longstanding grievances about marginalization. The South-East Caucus in the House of Representatives and Senate was quick to condemn JAMB, labeling the incident a “national shame” and questioning the integrity of the examination process. They argued that the glitch disproportionately disadvantaged South-Eastern candidates, who already face systemic challenges in Nigeria’s competitive educational landscape. The caucus demanded Oloyede’s resignation and a complete cancellation of the 2025 UTME, citing the rescheduling as inadequate and poorly timed, given conflicts with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) timetable.
This political response reflects deeper fault lines in Nigeria’s socio-political fabric. The South-East has historically felt sidelined in national institutions, and the UTME glitch became a lightning rod for these frustrations. Social media platforms, particularly X, amplified these sentiments, with posts from users in the region accusing JAMB of bias and calling for a federal investigation. Hashtags like #JAMBGlitch2025 and #JusticeForSouthEast trended briefly, underscoring the public’s distrust.
However, not all reactions were critical. The Muslim Ulamas of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, among others, commended Oloyede for his transparency and accountability. They argued that his leadership has transformed JAMB into a more efficient and credible institution, pointing to past successes like reducing exam malpractice and improving result processing. These supporters urged Nigerians to rally behind JAMB’s reforms rather than politicizing the glitch.
The House Committee on Basic Education has taken up the matter, launching an investigation into the causes of the glitch and JAMB’s response. In preliminary statements, the committee acknowledged the error as “avoidable” but praised Oloyede’s willingness to accept responsibility—a rarity in Nigeria’s public sector. The investigation aims to uncover whether the glitch was purely technical or indicative of deeper systemic issues within JAMB’s operations. It also seeks to address concerns about the rescheduling, which some candidates found inconvenient due to logistical and academic conflicts.
The committee’s findings could have far-reaching implications. A transparent and thorough investigation could restore public confidence in JAMB, while any perception of a cover-up could deepen mistrust. The committee has promised to engage stakeholders, including affected candidates, CBT center operators, and independent IT experts, to ensure a comprehensive review.
The controversy has played out vividly on X, where opinions are sharply divided. Some users view the glitch as evidence of systemic bias against the South-East, with posts citing historical patterns of marginalization in education and public appointments. Others defend Oloyede, arguing that technical glitches are common in large-scale examinations worldwide and should not be politicized. One user wrote, “Oloyede has done more for JAMB than any registrar in decades. This glitch is unfortunate, but it’s not a conspiracy.” Another countered, “When the same region keeps getting hit by ‘technical errors,’ it’s hard to believe it’s just a coincidence.”
These contrasting narratives highlight the challenge of addressing public concerns in a polarized society. The glitch has become a symbol of broader issues, including trust in institutions, regional equity, and the reliability of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The 2025 UTME glitch is more than a technical hiccup; it exposes vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s education system. The reliance on CBT, while innovative, has highlighted disparities in access to reliable technology across regions. Many CBT centers, particularly in less urban areas, struggle with outdated equipment, inconsistent power supply, and poorly trained staff. These challenges disproportionately affect candidates in regions like the South-East, where infrastructure gaps are more pronounced.
Moreover, the incident raises questions about JAMB’s capacity to manage an examination of this scale. With over 1.5 million candidates annually, the UTME is one of the largest standardized tests in Africa. Ensuring its integrity requires robust systems and contingency plans, which the 2025 glitch suggests are still lacking. Stakeholders are now calling for increased investment in educational technology, better training for exam administrators, and greater transparency in JAMB’s operations
The 2025 UTME controversy underscores the need for systemic reforms to prevent future disruptions and address regional sensitivities. JAMB could consider decentralizing its CBT infrastructure to reduce pressure on specific centers and investing in real-time monitoring systems to detect issues early. Engaging independent auditors to oversee the examination process could also enhance credibility.
On a broader level, the incident highlights the importance of fostering national unity in Nigeria’s education system. Addressing perceptions of regional bias, whether founded or not, requires open dialogue and inclusive policies. JAMB’s leadership must work to rebuild trust, particularly in the South-East, by ensuring that future examinations are equitable and transparent.
The 2025 UTME glitch has exposed both technical and societal challenges in Nigeria’s education system. Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s insistence that there is “no conspiracy theory against any part of the country” is a call for unity, but it must be backed by actions that restore public confidence. While JAMB’s swift response and rescheduling efforts are commendable, the lingering distrust and political fallout suggest that more work is needed to address systemic issues and regional grievances.
As the House Committee’s investigation unfolds, Nigerians await answers that could shape the future of the UTME and JAMB’s role in it. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder that education, a cornerstone of national development, must be handled with the utmost care and fairness. The path forward lies in transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian student has an equal shot at success.
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