The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has indicated plans to hold additional mop-up examinations for candidates who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while saying that the technical glitches did not target candidates from the South-East.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, gave the information on Wednesday in Abuja, while meeting with key stakeholders, including chief external examiners and civil society organizations, to address the challenges encountered during the 2025 UTME.
The Registrar spoke emotionally about the suicide of a 19-year-old candidate, Opesusi Timilehin, over low UTME scores, and called for a minute’s silence in her honour during the meeting.
“That tragedy broke all of us. Unfortunately, there were also false reports—some parents called me pretending their children had died, only to ask for money later.”
He revealed he initially considered resigning over the incident but was persuaded to stay the course by those who believed the candidates needed his continued leadership.
“When this happened, my first reaction was to resign. But people advised me that the students will never forgive you—it would appear as though you abandoned them in their moment of need.”
Oloyede dismissed calls for his resignation, stating that those criticizing his leadership lacked the qualifications to question his stewardship.
According to Oloyede, JAMB would be organising a special mop-up exercise for the estimated 5.6 per cent of candidates who missed the examination.
He said: “We are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier exam due to absence will be given another opportunity. It’s not extraordinary. In any academic setting, makeup exams are normal.”
He emphasized that JAMB remains committed to inclusiveness and fairness in the exam process and reassured stakeholders that the mop-up will ensure no candidate is unjustly left out.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has responded strongly to critics calling for his resignation following challenges during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“Truck pushers cannot direct pilots,” he said, in reference to critics whom he believes are unqualified to give advice on matters of education.
Addressing criticisms rooted in ethnic and conspiracy narratives, Oloyede firmly denied allegations of ethnic favouritism or administrative incompetence.
According to him, every candidate is a Nigerian and has equal opportunities.
“People say, ‘Where is he from?’ That never mattered to me. I’ve worked with people based on their competence, not their ethnicity. The idea that this is a conspiracy is baseless.”
The South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives had called for his resignation after the glitch reported to have majorly affected the results of candidates from Igbo and Lagos states.
In a statement, the caucus leader, Igariwey Enwo, also called for a new date to be set for the Examination to be retaken by candidates.
He said, “To this end, we call for the immediate suspension of those at the commanding heights of JAMB’s digital operations and examination logistics.
“The Registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but then, leadership must carry consequences. We, therefore, call on the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to do the needful by resigning his appointment to pave the way for a thorough examination and remediation of the root causes of this national shame.
While many expected the results of the rescheduled UTME to be released on Wednesday, Oloyede was silent on the issue during the meeting. However, JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin assured that the results will be released shortly via an official press statement.
