By John Umeh
The controversy surrounding the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has deepened, as lawmakers from the South-East geopolitical zone have called for the immediate resignation of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
In a press briefing held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the group of South-East representatives expressed outrage over the widespread technical failures, inconsistencies in results, and alleged disenfranchisement of thousands of candidates across the region during this year’s UTME. They described the conduct of the examination as “chaotic, unjust, and damaging to the future of Nigerian youths.”
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Hon. Chinedu Obinna (Enugu North) accused JAMB under Oloyede’s leadership of “gross negligence, lack of transparency, and poor accountability,” insisting that the recurring issues with UTME under his tenure were unacceptable.
“The South-East cannot continue to watch its children and students suffer systemic failure year after year. The 2025 UTME was a disgraceful exercise that has left many candidates traumatized and uncertain about their academic future,” Hon. Obinna stated.
He added that several computer-based test (CBT) centers in the region experienced server breakdowns, delayed exam starts, and in some cases, total cancellations, with little or no communication from JAMB. “This is not just about administrative failure. It is a betrayal of trust. The Registrar must take responsibility and step down,” he concluded.
The lawmakers also criticized what they described as JAMB’s dismissive attitude towards the complaints raised by affected students and parents. They argued that issuing blanket statements without concrete solutions has only worsened public confidence in the examination body.
In response, JAMB has maintained that most of the reported issues were isolated incidents and that appropriate measures are being taken to address them. Professor Oloyede, in a recent statement, expressed regret over the inconveniences faced by candidates and pledged to investigate and rectify all credible complaints.
However, this has done little to calm the outrage, especially in the South-East, where educational stakeholders, parents, and civil society groups have echoed the lawmakers’ demands for accountability and reform.
As pressure mounts, observers say the Federal Government may be forced to review JAMB’s operations and leadership structure to restore credibility to the examination system. For now, the future of thousands of 2025 UTME candidates remains in limbo — and the call for Oloyede’s resignation grows louder.
