South-East Reps Demand JAMB Boss Resignation Over 2025 UTME Failure: “A National Shame”

 

In a powerful and emotionally charged statement, the South-East Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives has called for the immediate resignation of Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). This demand follows what they described as a “disastrous and catastrophic institutional failure” in the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which has drawn nationwide outrage and disappointment.

The lawmakers are also demanding a total cancellation of the 2025 UTME and are urging JAMB to schedule a new date for a fresh examination to be conducted for all affected candidates across Nigeria. This bold move has reignited national debate over the state of Nigeria’s educational system, the role of technology in high-stakes examinations, and the need for accountability at the highest levels of public institutions.

JAMB Under Fire: What Went Wrong with the 2025 UTME?

The UTME, which is an annual examination administered by JAMB for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, is one of the most critical academic assessments in the country. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students sit for the exam in hopes of securing a place in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

However, the 2025 edition of the examination has been marred by serious technical glitches, poor logistics, and widespread irregularities, leading to unusually low scores and discrepancies in the administration of the test.

According to JAMB’s own admission, technical issues affected 157 out of 887 examination centres, resulting in severe disruptions for candidates. These problems were so serious that 379,997 candidates have been asked to retake the examination, a staggering figure that has left many Nigerians questioning the credibility and competence of the examination body.

South-East Lawmakers: “This is a National Shame”

The South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives, which includes lawmakers representing the five states in the South-East geopolitical zone — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — did not mince words in their response.

In a statement signed by the caucus leader, Igariwey Iduma Enwo, the group described the 2025 UTME as a “national shame.” They argued that the failure was not just a technical mishap, but a fundamental breakdown in JAMB’s operations that had far-reaching implications for students, families, and the Nigerian education system as a whole.

“The registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but then, leadership must carry consequences,” the caucus stated. “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. That’s the way to go in any civilised democracy, and we expect no less.”

The lawmakers emphasized that trust in JAMB has been eroded and that merely issuing apologies or allowing a partial retake of the exam would not be sufficient to restore confidence.

Emotional Press Briefing from Professor Oloyede

On May 14, 2025, in an unprecedented and emotional press briefing, Professor Ishaq Oloyede himself acknowledged the failures in the conduct of the UTME. With visible emotion and tears in his eyes, the Registrar admitted that the examination process was flawed and that human errors and technical issues had impacted the outcome.

“It is our culture to admit errors because we know that in spite of the best of our efforts, we are human; we are not perfect,” Professor Oloyede said during the briefing.

This admission marked a rare moment of vulnerability from a high-ranking Nigerian public official. However, the South-East Caucus insisted that apologies and emotional appeals could not substitute for action and accountability. They stated that the failures had denied thousands of students — particularly in the South-East — their “equal and adequate educational opportunities,” a right guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.

A Regional Crisis with National Implications

The South-East region appears to be one of the worst hit by the exam irregularities. All five states in the region reported cases of disrupted exams, malfunctioning computer systems, and inexplicably low scores.

The lawmakers expressed alarm that the scale of the problem was not isolated, but systemic. They believe it exposed a deeper, more troubling pattern of neglect and poor planning on the part of JAMB officials responsible for digital operations and logistics.

“For the thousands of students across the five South Eastern states of Nigeria, the tainted and flawed outcome of the 2025 UTME examination has clearly stripped and denied them of any ‘equal and adequate educational opportunities’,” the statement noted.

Call for Full Cancellation and New Examination Date

The South-East lawmakers are not only asking for Oloyede’s resignation. They are also demanding a full cancellation of the 2025 UTME for all affected candidates — not just those 379,997 who have been approved for a retake.

They argue that if only a portion of candidates are allowed to resit the exam, while others are forced to accept their low scores based on flawed test conditions, it will further entrench inequality and damage the reputation of Nigeria’s entire education system.

Their demand aligns with growing public sentiment. Many students, parents, educators, and civil society groups have taken to social media and traditional media platforms to express outrage over the handling of the 2025 UTME. The hashtag #JAMBFiasco2025 has trended on Nigerian Twitter (X) for days, with calls for reform and leadership change within the examination body.

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture for Nigeria’s Education Sector

This crisis is about more than just one examination. The controversy surrounding the 2025 UTME has sparked a national reckoning about the state of Nigeria’s education sector. It has highlighted the urgent need for:

• Improved digital infrastructure in education.

• Proper training for examination officials and IT staff.

• Clear accountability mechanisms within public education institutions.

• Transparent communication with students and stakeholders.

The lawmakers believe that unless bold steps are taken, including leadership changes and structural reforms, the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary education admissions process will continue to decline.

The Path Forward: Will JAMB Act?

As pressure continues to mount, it remains to be seen whether Professor Oloyede will heed the call to resign. Many are watching closely to see how JAMB will handle the planned retake, how it will support affected students, and what long-term reforms will be introduced to prevent a repeat of this crisis.

For now, the South-East Caucus has made its position clear. They are demanding action, accountability, and justice for Nigerian students who have been let down by a system that should have supported their dreams.

As they put it:

“Leadership must carry consequences. That’s the way to go in any civilised democracy.”

Final Thoughts: Can Trust Be Restored?

The 2025 UTME debacle is not just a technical error — it's a wake-up call. For Nigeria to truly reform its educational sector, institutions like JAMB must be held to the highest standards of performance and accountability. Students, especially those from underserved regions like the South-East, deserve nothing less than a fair chance at a brighter future.

NaijaRush will continue to follow this story as it develops, bringing you updates on what actions JAMB takes next, reactions from stakeholders, and how students are coping across the country.

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