South-East Lawmakers Demand JAMB Registrar’s Resignation Over 2025 UTME Failure

The South-East Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives has called for the immediate resignation of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, following widespread technical failures during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The lawmakers also demanded a total cancellation and rescheduling of the exam nationwide.  

In a strongly-worded statement, the caucus leader, Igariwey Iduma Enwo, described the examination’s conduct as a "national embarrassment" and insisted on accountability.  

"Those responsible for JAMB’s digital operations and exam logistics must be suspended immediately," the statement read. "While Prof. Oloyede may have good intentions, leadership requires responsibility. We urge him to step down so that a thorough investigation can uncover the root of this failure."

The lawmakers argued that such accountability is standard in any democracy and stressed that Nigeria should not tolerate systemic failures in critical national exams. 

JAMB Admits Errors, Orders Retake for 380,000 Candidates  

During a press briefing on May 14, Oloyede acknowledged technical glitches that disrupted the exam, leading to unusually low scores for many candidates.  

"We own our mistakes because, despite our best efforts, we are human and not perfect," Oloyede said, visibly emotional as he wiped away tears.  

JAMB later announced that 379,997 candidates would retake the exam after reports of technical failures, suspiciously poor results, and alleged irregularities in questions and answers. The board attributed the issues to technical malfunctions in 157 out of 887 test centers.  

The lawmakers expressed particular concern over the impact on candidates from the five South-Eastern states, all of which were affected by what JAMB called "score distortions."

"This is a catastrophic failure that has shattered the trust of students and parents," the caucus stated. "Mere apologies are not enough—thousands of South-Eastern youths have been robbed of fair opportunities in education." 

They urged immediate corrective action to restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.