JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede Denies South-East Conspiracy Claims Over 2025 UTME Technical Glitch

 

The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recently experienced a significant technical glitch that disrupted the results for thousands of candidates, primarily affecting five states in the South-East geopolitical zone and Lagos. This unexpected system failure led to widespread concern, speculation, and accusations, particularly from some quarters in the South-East, alleging deliberate sabotage aimed at truncating the academic aspirations of students from that region.

However, in a recent meeting held with the management of JAMB ahead of the release of the rescheduled UTME examination results, the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, categorically dismissed these conspiracy theories, stressing that the technical issues were purely accidental and not motivated by any political or regional bias.

The 2025 JAMB Technical Glitch: What Happened?

Last week, JAMB publicly confirmed that a technical glitch affected the processing and release of UTME results for over 300,000 candidates in five South-East states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — as well as Lagos State. The problem caused significant delays and uncertainty for students, parents, and educational institutions awaiting the results that are crucial for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The glitch arose from a failure in the board’s examination processing system, which disrupted the collation and verification of scores. This failure meant that affected candidates were unable to access their results at the same time as their peers in other parts of the country, leading to frustration and suspicion.

In the aftermath of the technical problem, a wave of accusations emerged, with some individuals and groups alleging that the JAMB board deliberately engineered the glitch to undermine the South-East region's students. These claims quickly gained traction, fueled by the long-standing regional sensitivities and the high stakes attached to the UTME results.

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s Response: No Room for Conspiracy Theories

Addressing the JAMB management and the media, Professor Ishaq Oloyede firmly rejected the claims of conspiracy against the South-East candidates. He emphasized that the board operates with fairness and neutrality, and that all Nigerian candidates are treated equally, regardless of their state or region.

Professor Oloyede said, “There was no deliberate attempt to undermine students from the South-East or any other part of the country. Every candidate is Nigerian and has equal opportunities to succeed in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.”

He reiterated that the technical glitch was an unfortunate incident caused by system failure and not any form of manipulation. To further show his empathy, Prof. Oloyede expressed deep regret over the death of a candidate that reportedly occurred during the examination period, calling it a tragic event for the entire Nigerian academic community. A minute of silence was observed in honour of the deceased student, highlighting the human cost behind the stressful examination period.

Calls for Resignation Amidst Political Pressure

Despite the Registrar’s clear denial and explanation, the controversy surrounding the UTME glitch intensified, with political actors and lawmakers from the South-East region leading calls for accountability. The South-East Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives issued a public demand for Professor Oloyede’s resignation, holding him responsible for the technical failure that disrupted the academic progression of over 300,000 students.

The caucus argued that the scale of the failure was unacceptable and that leadership changes at JAMB were necessary to restore trust and ensure such incidents do not recur. This political pressure has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing situation, reflecting the sensitivity and high stakes attached to JAMB’s role in Nigeria’s education sector.

Why the 2025 JAMB UTME Glitch Sparks Regional Tensions

The JAMB UTME is arguably the most critical academic examination in Nigeria, as it determines access to higher education for millions of young Nigerians each year. Any disruption in its administration can have severe consequences for candidates’ academic and career futures. Given the history of regional and ethnic sensitivities in Nigeria, particularly between the South-East and other geopolitical zones, the technical failure has been interpreted by some as more than just a system error.

This suspicion is partly rooted in past incidents where certain regions felt marginalized or unfairly treated in national examinations or admissions processes. The South-East, being a region with a strong academic culture and a high number of UTME candidates annually, is particularly sensitive to anything that appears to jeopardize its students' chances.

The JAMB technical glitch affecting mainly South-East states and Lagos only intensified these concerns, prompting politicians and community leaders to demand explanations and remedial actions.

JAMB’s Commitment to Transparency and Fairness

In response to the backlash, JAMB has assured the public of its commitment to transparency, fairness, and continuous improvement of its systems. Professor Oloyede promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the technical glitch, with measures to strengthen the board’s technological infrastructure and examination protocols.

He stressed that JAMB’s priority remains the welfare and success of Nigerian students. He also reaffirmed that the board would release the results of the rescheduled examination promptly and fairly, ensuring that affected candidates are not disadvantaged.

What This Means for Candidates and Stakeholders

For candidates affected by the 2025 UTME technical glitch, this incident has been a stressful and uncertain period. Many students have expressed anxiety about their academic futures, while parents and guardians demand clear timelines and reassurances.

Education experts note that such technical failures, while unfortunate, can be managed effectively through transparency and proactive communication. They encourage JAMB to engage with stakeholders, including state governments, education ministries, and student bodies, to rebuild trust.

Furthermore, this incident highlights the critical need for investment in robust examination technology and contingency planning to prevent future disruptions that could affect thousands of students nationwide.

Conclusion: Navigating the Aftermath of the JAMB 2025 UTME Glitch

The 2025 UTME technical glitch has undeniably stirred controversy and heightened regional tensions, especially in the South-East zone of Nigeria. Accusations of conspiracy against JAMB and its leadership were quickly dispelled by Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who affirmed the board’s commitment to equal opportunities for all candidates.

As the rescheduled examination results are set to be released, all eyes remain on JAMB to demonstrate transparency, efficiency, and fairness. The call for accountability from South-East lawmakers underscores the importance of robust systems and leadership in national examination bodies.

Ultimately, this episode serves as a crucial lesson on the importance of technology readiness, effective crisis management, and open communication in Nigeria’s education sector. JAMB’s response in the coming weeks will be critical in restoring confidence and ensuring that every Nigerian student can pursue their academic dreams without fear of bias or technical failure.