In a stunning and emotional admission that has shaken Nigeria’s educational sector, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), broke down in tears on May 14, 2025, as he publicly confessed to scoring errors in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the usually composed academic was visibly overwhelmed as he apologized to the 379,997 candidates whose results were compromised due to what he described as “technical failures.” His emotional breakdown underscored the gravity of the crisis—one that now threatens the credibility of one of Nigeria’s most important academic assessments.
“On behalf of JAMB, I take full responsibility,” Oloyede said, fighting back tears. “This should never have happened.”
The error, linked to what officials call a “glitch in the scoring software,” has prompted JAMB to mandate retakes for all affected students—a move that has sparked outrage across the country. Social media platforms are flooded with angry reactions from students and parents, while some advocacy groups are calling for Oloyede’s resignation.
Legal threats loom as well, with some candidates reportedly assembling legal teams to challenge the examination body’s handling of the UTME. For many, the mistake is more than just numbers—it’s a disruption to their academic dreams and futures.
In damage control mode, JAMB has reopened its data correction portal to allow affected candidates to fix registration anomalies and has promised a full-scale audit of its examination systems. The board insists it is committed to transparency and swift correction, pledging to release a revised roadmap for future exams.
But the damage may already be done. The scandal has ignited national debate about the reliability of standardized testing in Nigeria, and whether reforms—if not a complete overhaul—are now inevitable.
As pressure mounts and public trust wavers, all eyes remain on JAMB’s next move. For thousands of Nigerian students, the fight for academic justice is just beginning.
