JAMB Engages IT Experts To Investigate Alleged UTME Technical Issues.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the engagement of leading IT professionals and educational assessment experts to probe reported technical glitches in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The decision follows widespread concerns raised by candidates regarding the recently released results, which saw over 1.5 million of the 1.9 million participants scoring below 200 out of a possible 400 marks.
In a statement issued on Monday, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that the board is fast-tracking its annual system review to address the complaints. The review, typically conducted months after the examination, will scrutinise the entire UTME process, encompassing registration, examination conduct, and result processing. “We are particularly concerned about unusual complaints originating from a few states within the federation,” Dr Benjamin noted, assuring candidates that any validated issues would be promptly rectified.
To ensure a thorough investigation, JAMB has enlisted a team of specialists, including members of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, chief external examiners from tertiary institutions, the Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa, measurement experts, and vice-chancellors from various universities. “If it is determined that there were indeed glitches, we will implement appropriate remedial measures promptly, as we do in the case of the examinations themselves,” Dr Benjamin added.
The 2025 UTME, held between 24 April and 5 May, has sparked significant debate following the release of results on Friday, 9 May. Candidates and parents have voiced frustration, with some alleging that technical issues, such as incomplete questions or system malfunctions at computer-based testing (CBT) centres, impacted performance.
Education advocate Alex Onyia, Chief Executive Officer of Educare, revealed that over 8,000 students have lodged formal complaints, with many preparing to pursue legal action against JAMB to demand transparency and a review of their scores.
One candidate, who sat the examination at a CBT centre in Maitama, Abuja, told reporters, “During my Use of English exam, several questions were missing. I raised the issue, but nothing was done. My score of 170 does not reflect my preparation.” A parent echoed these sentiments, stating, “These are exceptional students scoring below 200. We demand JAMB provide detailed marking sheets to verify results.”
Despite the outcry, JAMB has maintained that the complaints are not widespread and are confined to specific locations. The board has urged candidates and stakeholders to remain patient as it collaborates with experts to ascertain the root cause of any issues. Dr Benjamin reiterated JAMB’s commitment to fairness, noting that the board had rescheduled examinations for candidates affected by technical disruptions during the testing period.
The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of JAMB’s processes, with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, suggesting that the low scores reflect the board’s success in curbing examination malpractice. However, candidates and education advocates argue that technological failures are primarily to blame.
As the probe unfolds, JAMB has assured the public that it will uphold the integrity of the UTME and ensure that all affected candidates receive fair treatment. The board’s proactive approach in engaging top experts signals its determination to address the concerns and restore confidence in the examination process.
