The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by Nigeria's Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been marred by significant challenges, leading to widespread criticism and calls for systemic reforms.
Widespread Technical Glitches Affect 379,000 Candidates During 2025 UTME
The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), experienced unprecedented technical challenges that disrupted the examination process for a substantial number of candidates across the country. According to multiple sources including Sahara Reporters, Daily Post Nigeria, and official statements posted via JAMB’s Facebook page, over 379,000 candidates were directly affected by these issues during the first few days of the exam rollout.
The disruptions were most prevalent in densely populated urban centers such as Lagos State, and several parts of the South-East region, including states like Anambra, Imo, and Enugu. Candidates reported a wide array of challenges ranging from inability to log into the Computer-Based Test (CBT) platform, missing or incomplete examination questions, sudden system shutdowns, to frequent power outages at some CBT centers. These issues not only led to confusion and anxiety among candidates but also caused significant delays in the examination schedule.
In many centers, candidates were asked to return on different days with no clear communication or assurances of improved conditions. Parents, candidates, and education stakeholders took to social media to express their frustrations, describing the ordeal as a “national disgrace” and questioning the preparedness of JAMB for such a high-stakes national exam. Videos and photos showing long queues, technical staff attempting to fix faulty systems, and visibly distressed students quickly went viral online, further amplifying public scrutiny.
In response to the uproar, JAMB announced that affected candidates would be given another opportunity to retake the examination under improved conditions. The rescheduled UTME, also referred to as a resit, was held a few days later in more secure and better-prepared centers. JAMB officials emphasized that strict measures had been put in place to ensure that such disruptions would not reoccur.
The board has since confirmed that the results for the rescheduled exam will be released on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and has urged candidates to check the official JAMB portal for updates. JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, issued a public apology, acknowledging the failures in the examination system and affirming the board's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
This series of events has reignited discussions about the reliability of Nigeria’s CBT infrastructure and the urgent need for reform in the country’s approach to standardized testing. Stakeholders are calling for greater investment in digital education systems and for JAMB to collaborate more effectively with private tech firms to ensure stable, scalable platforms for future exams.
Sharp Decline in Candidate Performance Sparks Concern Nationwide
The release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sparked nationwide concern following an unprecedented drop in performance levels among Nigerian candidates. According to reports from Daily Post Nigeria and the BBC Pidgin service, statistical data shows that out of the estimated 1.95 million candidates who registered and sat for the exam, over 50% scored below 200 out of a total of 400 marks, marking a significant decline compared to previous years.
Even more alarming is the revelation that only 4,756 candidates managed to score above 320, which represents less than 0.3% of the total candidates. This figure is seen as one of the lowest high-score turnouts in recent UTME history, raising questions about both the quality of exam preparation among students and the reliability of the examination process itself.
This pattern of poor results has triggered a wave of reactions from educational stakeholders, parents, and the general public. Many are attributing the mass failure to the technical glitches experienced during the exam, particularly in areas where systems failed to load properly, questions were missing, or power supply was erratic. These issues may have caused candidates to underperform due to stress, anxiety, and reduced time to answer questions.
Others point to systemic problems in the Nigerian education system — including underfunded schools, poor teacher training, outdated curricula, and limited access to quality educational resources — as underlying causes of the sharp decline in academic performance. Students from rural and underserved regions were particularly affected, as many lack access to internet connectivity and digital learning tools needed to prepare for the computer-based test format.
Additionally, experts are questioning the preparedness of many candidates, especially with the growing dependency on social media and distractions outside the classroom. Some analysts suggest that the current curriculum may no longer align with the skills and knowledge tested in UTME exams, highlighting the need for a holistic educational reform.
In response, educational authorities are calling for a comprehensive review of the entire UTME process — from syllabus alignment to digital exam management and student readiness programs. Universities and tertiary institutions are also expected to reconsider admission benchmarks in light of the lower scores, potentially adjusting cut-off marks or offering remedial programs for incoming students.
The 2025 UTME results serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector, indicating the urgent need to address systemic issues, improve learning outcomes, and restore confidence in the national examination system.
Public Outrage and Political Fallout: Lawmakers Demand Resignation and UTME Cancellation
The cascade of technical failures and historically poor performance outcomes from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has sparked widespread national outrage, with growing calls for accountability and reform within Nigeria’s education system. As public dissatisfaction intensifies, prominent political leaders and lawmakers have entered the fray, voicing strong condemnation of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)'s handling of the examination process.
One of the most notable reactions has come from the South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives, a body comprising federal lawmakers from Nigeria’s southeastern region. In a joint statement covered by BBC Pidgin and Daily Post Nigeria, the caucus demanded the immediate resignation of JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, accusing him of gross incompetence and administrative negligence. They further called for the total cancellation of the 2025 UTME, citing what they described as a "compromised and irreparably flawed examination process."
According to the lawmakers, the sheer scale of technical irregularities — including login failures, incomplete exam modules, faulty biometric verification, and erratic power supply at test centers — fundamentally undermined the credibility of the examination. The caucus emphasized that an exam meant to determine the future of nearly 2 million Nigerian youths must be held to the highest standard of fairness, consistency, and transparency — standards which they argue were clearly not met in the 2025 cycle.
Beyond the legislative chambers, public opinion has mirrored this outrage. Parents, education activists, and civil society groups have taken to both social and traditional media platforms to express concern over the emotional and academic toll the situation has had on students. Many argue that subjecting candidates to a resit is insufficient without a full independent investigation into JAMB’s operational failures and a clear plan to overhaul the system.
Meanwhile, there is rising speculation about whether this controversy will trigger broader reforms in Nigeria’s examination bodies or even lead to a rethinking of the centralized UTME format altogether. With growing distrust in the current model, experts have proposed more decentralized, school-based entrance assessments or hybrid systems involving both continuous assessment and standardized testing.
In response to the backlash, JAMB has remained firm on its decision not to cancel the UTME in its entirety, stating that doing so would unfairly punish the majority of candidates whose exams were conducted successfully. However, the pressure continues to mount as political, social, and academic voices demand more transparency, accountability, and immediate action to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
JAMB Registrar Prof. Oloyede Apologizes, Takes Responsibility, and Outlines Corrective Measures
In the wake of widespread criticism and national backlash over the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has taken a public stand by acknowledging the faults in the examination process and accepting responsibility for the series of technical failures that disrupted the exams for hundreds of thousands of candidates. As reported by Daily Post Nigeria, the Registrar issued a formal apology to candidates, parents, and stakeholders, expressing deep regret for the inconvenience, stress, and uncertainty caused by the system breakdowns.
In his official statement, Prof. Oloyede described the glitches as "unfortunate but not deliberate," noting that despite JAMB’s rigorous preparations and testing, a number of CBT centers still experienced technical malfunctions, including login errors, incomplete exam scripts, biometric failures, and power interruptions. He attributed the breakdowns in part to poor compliance by some private CBT operators, but ultimately shouldered the blame, saying it was JAMB’s duty to ensure a seamless experience for all candidates.
To mitigate the impact of these disruptions, Prof. Oloyede announced that the board had rescheduled UTME sessions for the 379,000+ affected candidates, providing them with another opportunity to take the exam under improved conditions. He emphasized that only candidates who were genuinely affected — and whose disruptions were confirmed by JAMB’s monitoring team — were invited to participate in the make-up examination, which has since been successfully conducted.
Furthermore, the Registrar assured the public that JAMB was already reviewing its operational systems and vendor partnerships, with a view to enforcing stricter standards on CBT centers, investing in more resilient technology infrastructure, and adopting more responsive exam support mechanisms. He also called for patience and understanding, reiterating JAMB’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement.
Despite his efforts to calm tensions, the apology has received mixed reactions. While some praised Prof. Oloyede’s willingness to take responsibility — a rare gesture in Nigeria’s public sector — others insist that accountability must go beyond apologies, with calls for independent investigation, compensation for affected students, and structural reforms within the examination board.
Nonetheless, Prof. Oloyede's swift response and direct engagement have been seen as an important first step in restoring public trust, especially as candidates await the release of the rescheduled UTME results, expected on May 21, 2025.
Candidates Shift Focus to Universities with Lower Cut-Off Marks Amid Mass UTME Failures
In the aftermath of the 2025 UTME results, which saw an alarming number of candidates scoring below average, many students across Nigeria are now redirecting their university admission plans, targeting institutions known for more flexible or lower cut-off marks. According to reports by the BBC Pidgin, the poor performance has significantly narrowed the options available to candidates, especially those who had originally aimed for highly competitive universities.
With only 4,756 candidates scoring above 320 out of 400, and over 50% scoring below 200, it has become evident that fewer students will meet the standard admission thresholds required by top federal and state universities like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). As a result, many candidates are now setting their sights on institutions such as Abia State University, Delta State University, and similar schools which traditionally accept lower UTME scores and have more accommodating admission policies.
Education consultants and admission coaches have reported a surge in inquiries from desperate students and parents seeking alternative schools. These institutions are now being perceived not only as fallback options but also as lifelines for students hoping to secure tertiary education in the face of one of the most disappointing UTME outcomes in recent years.
In addition to academic leniency, many of these universities offer pre-degree programs, remedial studies, and diploma pathways that give students a second chance to qualify for full admission — options that are increasingly attractive to 2025 UTME candidates who narrowly missed traditional entry requirements.
However, this shift also presents challenges. With more students flooding into fewer accessible institutions, competition for limited admission slots may increase even in universities with lower cut-off points. Furthermore, some stakeholders have raised concerns about the potential for overcrowding and declining academic standards if universities are forced to accommodate more students than they can effectively serve.
Nevertheless, this realignment in student preferences is a direct consequence of the mass failure and systemic issues that plagued this year’s UTME. It reflects not just the academic impact of poor performance, but also the broader emotional and strategic recalibrations that students are now making in pursuit of their higher education goals.
Experts have advised students not to panic, but instead to explore all available options including polytechnics, colleges of education, private universities, and overseas institutions, where possible. They also stressed the importance of career counseling, guidance services, and mental health support to help students make informed, confident decisions in these uncertain times.
Conclusion
The fallout from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has laid bare deep-rooted flaws within Nigeria’s national assessment framework. From widespread technical malfunctions to historically poor performance outcomes, the challenges witnessed this year have amplified growing concerns over the fairness, reliability, and overall integrity of Nigeria’s examination system.
As reported by Daily Post Nigeria and echoed by educational stakeholders across the country, the 2025 UTME has become a critical turning point, exposing not just short-term operational lapses but also systemic weaknesses that have long plagued the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other national exam bodies. These issues include outdated infrastructure, inadequate digital support at CBT centers, inconsistent power supply, low digital literacy among candidates, and a lack of regulatory oversight for exam vendors.
In response to these revelations, there is now increased momentum behind calls for sweeping reforms. Education experts, lawmakers, school administrators, parents, and student unions have all demanded urgent action to revamp the UTME process — starting from re-evaluation of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) model, to stricter licensing of exam centers, and investments in technology infrastructure that can support large-scale digital testing.
There are also recommendations for:
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Greater decentralization of examination logistics, to reduce the burden on JAMB as a sole national body.
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Improved training programs for technical staff and proctors at test centers.
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Integration of continuous assessment systems, where a student’s classroom performance contributes significantly to their university admission process.
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Transparent third-party auditing of exam processes and results to rebuild public trust.
In the broader context, the 2025 UTME serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to realign Nigeria’s education system with global best practices — placing the student at the center of a fair, functional, and future-ready assessment framework. As the dust settles, all eyes will be on how policymakers, JAMB, and relevant education ministries respond — not only to manage the fallout of this year’s exam but to lay the foundation for a more equitable and resilient system in the years ahead.
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