The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) turned out to be a national setback, with over 70% of nearly 2 million candidates recording poor performance, sparking widespread outrage and concern among students, parents, and educators.
Described as an “unprecedented failure”, the mass poor performance has raised serious questions about the credibility and reliability of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with some stakeholders even calling for the scrapping of the examination board altogether.
JAMB Confirms Technical Glitch in 157 Centres
Amid growing pressure and concern, JAMB has admitted that a technical glitch occurred during the conduct of the exam, affecting 157 out of the 887 centers used for the 2025 UTME.
In a public statement shared via the Board’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, JAMB wrote:
Man proposes, God disposes! It has been established that a technical glitch affected 157 centres out of the 887 centres in the 2025 UTME…
The Board acknowledged that this technical failure contributed significantly to the overall poor performance and unusually low scores recorded by many candidates this year.
Rescheduled Exams Begin May 16, 2025
JAMB has announced that affected candidates will be rescheduled to retake the examination starting May 16, 2025.
Candidates whose exams were impacted will be contacted and required to reprint their examination slips to confirm their new exam dates and centers.
JAMB to Launch Independent Audit
In an effort to regain public trust, JAMB further revealed that it will be inviting independent auditors and professional bodies to investigate the root cause of the poor performance and technical failures experienced during the 2025 UTME.
Read more: New Nigerian Universities to apply for 2025/2026 Admission
What This Means for Candidates
For thousands of students who had almost lost hope of securing admission, this announcement has brought a renewed sense of hope and relief.
Those who experienced system failures or scored unusually low marks are now urged to stay alert for official updates from JAMB regarding rescheduled exams and reprinting procedures.
What Candidates Should Do
- Avoid misinformation from unverified sources — always rely on official updates.
- Prepare thoroughly for the rescheduled UTME to maximize your chances of getting your desired score.
- Reprint your examination slip to check if you’ve been scheduled for a re-sit.
- Monitor JAMB’s official website and social media handles for announcements.
While the 2025 UTME has been disappointing for many, the resit opportunity provides a second chance for affected candidates to pursue their academic dreams. Stay focused, stay updated, and make the most of this lifeline.
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