JAMB has ordered an immediate and comprehensive review of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following widespread backlash from students, parents, and education stakeholders across Nigeria. The board’s swift response came after what it described as an “unusual volume of complaints” flooded its communication channels after the results were released last Friday.
JAMB confirmed in an official statement, delivered by its Public Communication Advisor Fabian Benjamin, that it had begun a fast-tracked internal audit to verify claims of technical disruptions and suspiciously low scores. This process, which typically occurs months post-examination, has now been prioritized in response to mounting public pressure and credibility concerns.
Low Scores, Incomplete Questions: What Candidates Are Saying
JAMB’s action follows alarming reports from candidates across several states, citing irregularities ranging from abrupt computer shutdowns to incomplete or recycled questions. Many students claim their examination experience was marred by system glitches, with some alleging they couldn’t even complete their tests before being logged out.
Social media has been flooded with screenshots of unusually low UTME scores, with hashtags like #JAMB2025Fail and #UTMEMess trending nationwide. Candidates who were expecting scores above 250 say they received results below 150, triggering accusations of systemic failure or result manipulation. These complaints, JAMB insists, are not being dismissed and are currently under forensic investigation.
States Under Scrutiny as JAMB Probes Regional Disparities
JAMB has disclosed that its review will include a geo-regional analysis of complaints, after preliminary findings showed a clustering of technical issues in certain exam centers. Specific states, though unnamed for now, are being flagged for deeper scrutiny, particularly those with a disproportionate volume of candidates reporting abrupt system shutdowns or missing questions.
The board’s technical team, in collaboration with its monitoring partners, has already begun cross-referencing server logs, biometric logs, and center surveillance footage to ensure no candidate is unfairly penalized. THey also stated that repeat offenders among CBT centers will face sanctions, including permanent de-accreditation and possible prosecution.
Parents, Experts Question JAMB’s Reliability and Transparency
JAMB’s credibility is now on the line, with several parents and education analysts calling for full disclosure of the UTME review process and independent oversight. Some critics argue that the centralization of UTME in CBT format without consistent system upgrades has exposed vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s most competitive academic screening test.
Parents have stormed several JAMB offices across the federation, demanding explanations for their children’s poor performance despite evidence of diligent preparation. Education rights groups are calling for an emergency stakeholder meeting with the Ministry of Education to address what they term a “crisis of confidence” in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
JAMB Promises Corrective Action — But Refuses to Nullify Results Yet
Despite the backlash,They insists that not all results are invalid, and that the integrity of the exam process remains largely intact. The Board has not announced any plan to cancel or retake the examination but has promised to release a full audit report, including technical explanations for any anomalies and resolutions made for affected candidates.
According to UTME, any errors found to have significantly affected candidate outcomes will be addressed individually, with possible score corrections or remedial assessments considered. However, the board warned against misinformation and said only updates from its official website and channels should be trusted.
What’s Next for Students? Anxiety Mounts Ahead of Admission Season
As JAMB’s review continues, students who sat for the 2025 UTME remain in limbo, unsure how the situation will affect their university admission prospects. With post-UTME screenings for many institutions just weeks away, the uncertainty has cast a dark cloud over thousands of aspiring undergraduates.
Candidates and parents alike are urging JAMB to complete its audit within days, not weeks, to prevent disruptions in the academic calendar. Meanwhile, several universities are reportedly considering adjusting their admission timelines or thresholds in anticipation of possible changes in UTME results.
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