2025 UTME: Post-JAMB tragedy, responsibility, and renewed hope
By Eja Manifest Eji
In recent weeks, Nigeria was jolted by an unsettling outcry from thousands of candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The chorus of complaints alleging technical glitches, inconsistencies in results, and the traumatic aftermath, including the tragic suicide of a young candidate, has cast a dark shadow over what should have been a season of academic triumph.
This heartbreaking loss should serve as a national wake-up call—one that demands accountability, transparency, and a compassionate response from our institutions. It is within this crucible of grief and agitation that JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stood before the nation—not with excuses, but with rare honesty and empathy.
In an emotional moment that resonated deeply with many Nigerians, Professor Oloyede broke down in tears as he publicly acknowledged the errors and technical lapses that marred the conduct of this year’s UTME. More than a gesture, it was a symbol of leadership laced with human sensitivity—something that is often scarce in our bureaucratic systems.
Taking full responsibility, the Registrar didn’t just stop at words. He announced that affected candidates numbering about—379,997 of them—would be given a second chance to rewrite the examination in over 157 centres in the south East States and Lagos. This prompt and thoughtful response is commendable, not only for addressing the immediate technical failings but for restoring hope to students and parents who were left in anguish.
However, while we laud this effort, it is imperative to understand that this is not the end of the road—it is only the beginning of a much-needed reform. The integrity of our national examination systems must be beyond reproach. The trust of the Nigerian people—particularly the youth—must be earned and sustained through diligence, transparency, and technological competence.
The tragic suicide of Faith Opesusi, a young candidate, crushed under the weight of disappointment and confusion, must never be forgotten. Her death should not be in vain. It is a powerful reminder that behind every examination number is a human soul, a dream, a family’s hope. Our systems must reflect this understanding at every stage of the process.
Professor Oloyede has taken a bold step in owning the problem and responding with humanity. Now, he and his team must go further—by initiating a thorough audit of the examination system, establishing stronger quality assurance mechanisms, and investing in foolproof technology that minimizes human and machine error alike.
To the families of affected candidates, and especially to those grieving an irreplaceable loss, our hearts go out to you. May this tragedy spur a new chapter—one where student welfare is central, where mistakes are not just corrected but prevented, and where institutions work not only to assess knowledge but to protect the dignity of every candidate.
The 2025 UTME debacle must become a turning point. For JAMB. For education. For Nigeria.
