The recent controversy surrounding the 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results, particularly affecting candidates from Nigeria’s South East, has sparked widespread concern among education stakeholders, parents, and civil society groups. Many within the academic community and beyond have begun networking and advocating to ensure that what they describe as a disturbing “glitch” — reminiscent of the now-infamous INEC technical excuses — does not jeopardize the academic futures of innocent students.
Following JAMB’s public admission of technical mishaps that marred the integrity of the initial Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results for several candidates, the decision to conduct a retake exam less than 48 hours later has drawn sharp criticism. As of today, 16th May 2025, many affected candidates are sitting for their rescheduled exams under immense pressure and uncertainty.
While stakeholders appreciate the apology tendered by the JAMB Registrar, concerns remain about the management of these national examinations and the potential for similar issues to affect other key assessments such as WAEC and NECO.
In response, education advocates are calling for an urgent reform in JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) processes — specifically, the immediate display of candidates’ scores at the conclusion of their exams. This practice, already standard in globally recognized tests such as the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL, would not only enhance transparency but also restore public trust in Nigeria’s examination systems.
Benefits of Immediate UTME Result Display:
Promotes transparency and trust in the exam process
Reduces suspicion, controversy, and the spread of misinformation
Enables quick detection of technical errors or discrepancies
Empowers candidates to take ownership of their performance or seek redress if necessary
Stakeholders argue that Nigerian candidates deserve the same level of dignity, clarity, and fairness afforded to their global peers.
As education remains the backbone of national development, ensuring the integrity and reliability of public examinations like the UTME is crucial in safeguarding the aspirations of millions of young Nigerians.
May God bless every effort made to protect the future of our children.
