JAMB Scrutinizes 2025 UTME Complaints to Address Technical Glitches

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has initiated a comprehensive review of complaints regarding the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, released on May 9, 2025. Over 8,000 candidates have raised concerns about technical issues during the examination, including incomplete question sets, system crashes, and other glitches they claim resulted in unexpectedly low scores. With 78% of the 1.9 million candidates scoring below 200 out of a possible 400 marks, the outcry has prompted JAMB to take swift action to investigate and rectify any confirmed problems.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede emphasized the board’s commitment to fairness and transparency. He announced that a team of experts, including members of the Computer Professionals Association of Nigeria, vice-chancellors, and educational assessment specialists, has been assembled to scrutinize the entire examination process. This review covers the registration phase, the conduct of the examination, and the result release stage. “We are aware of the complaints, particularly from certain states, and we are taking them seriously,” Prof. Oloyede stated. “Our goal is to identify any technical faults and ensure justice for affected candidates.”

The complaints stem from reported issues such as computer malfunctions that prevented candidates from accessing complete question sets, abrupt system shutdowns, and discrepancies between candidates’ perceived performance and their final scores. Some candidates alleged that these glitches disproportionately impacted their results, with many scoring far below their expectations. The widespread dissatisfaction has fueled public discourse, with candidates and parents questioning the integrity of the examination process.

To address these concerns, JAMB has promised an expedited investigation. Prof. Oloyede assured that any candidate found to have been disadvantaged by technical issues would receive appropriate remedies, including the possibility of rescheduling examinations for affected individuals. “We are not infallible, but we are committed to ensuring that no candidate is unfairly treated,” he said. The board has also urged candidates to submit formal complaints with detailed evidence to facilitate the review process.

The controversy has taken a legal turn, as thousands of candidates, supported by education advocate Alex Onyia, are preparing to file a lawsuit against JAMB. The candidates are demanding greater transparency in the marking process, including access to detailed mark sheets to verify their scores. Onyia, a vocal critic of the current system, has argued that JAMB’s failure to provide candidates with a breakdown of their marks undermines trust in the examination body. “Candidates deserve to know how their scores were calculated. Without transparency, the process lacks credibility,” he said in a statement.

The 2025 UTME, conducted between April 18 and April 28, 2025, saw a significant number of candidates register for the examination, with JAMB reporting a total of 1.9 million participants. The results, released less than two weeks after the exams concluded, showed a notable decline in high scores compared to previous years, with only 22% of candidates achieving 200 marks or above. This statistic has further fueled debates about the examination’s difficulty level and the impact of technical issues on performance.

JAMB has defended the integrity of the 2025 UTME, noting that the examination process was monitored by independent observers and that measures were in place to prevent malpractices. However, the board acknowledged that isolated technical challenges could have occurred due to the scale of the computer-based testing system, which relies on numerous testing centers across the country. To mitigate future issues, JAMB has pledged to upgrade its technological infrastructure and enhance training for examination officials.

As the investigation unfolds, candidates and stakeholders await the outcome of JAMB’s review. The board has called for calm and cooperation, urging candidates to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media. “We are working round the clock to resolve these issues and ensure that every candidate gets a fair chance,” Prof. Oloyede reiterated.

The 2025 UTME saga underscores the challenges of administering large-scale examinations in a technology-dependent environment. For now, JAMB’s ability to address the complaints transparently and promptly will determine whether it can restore confidence in the examination process and provide justice to affected candidates.