JAMB Exam Errors: Steps Toward Restoring Public Confidence Amid Growing Concerns

The public apprehension and anxiety occasioned by the recent system error recorded by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in its 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) signposts a major test to the board and the credibility of Nigeria’s examinations processes. The fact that a whole lot of nuances and insinuations have been attributed to the incident also reveals just how sensitive the issue of school admissions can be to parents, guardians as well as students, more so in a society in which work progress is governed more by certificates than actual competence. Certainly, the trauma inflicted by this technological failure demands sober reflection, decisive action and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s examination system

It should come as no surprise that the educational landscape of Nigeria was rocked by JAMB’s disclosure of a system fault that impacted the results of 379,997 candidates across 157 centers, mostly in Lagos and the South-East. Stakeholders are dealing with abnormally low scores, which even the malfunction hasn’t fully addressed. 1.5 million, or 78.9%, of the 1.9 million applicants who took the test received a score below 200, which is the minimum required by many universities for admission.

What should have been a hopeful start to their postsecondary education became a traumatic experience filled with uncertainty, frustration, and fear for a lot of candidates and their families. And because of the human cost, this crisis necessitates a deep reckoning, responsibility, systemic change, a reinvigorated dedication to justice, and technical resilience. Trust was damaged, and the trauma went beyond scores. Indeed, Nigeria’s crucible for exam integrity, creativity, and national cohesion could be characterized as the JAMB UTME glitch.

The candidates, young Nigerians whose ambitions, dreams, and futures were jeopardized by an uncontrollable error, are at the center of this mess. What ought to have been a significant accomplishment for these almost 380,000 children instead became a confusing and heartbreaking experience. In addition to being in despair, parents and guardians have been struggling with the shock of inexplicable poor scores and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The toll is indisputable, and the trauma is heartbreaking. At a press meeting, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who was clearly emotional, expressed his sorrow over the mistake and said, movingly, “What should have been a moment of joy has changed due to one or two errors.” Oloyede openly apologized and accepted full responsibility for the mistake after being affected by the circumstances. Although his apology was sincere, it also emphasized the seriousness of the situation, the board’s dedication to making amends, and the board’s duty to the nation’s hordes of young people.

Nevertheless, this episode calls into doubt the Board’s readiness to oversee a computer-based, high-stakes exam with millions of applicants as well as the strength of JAMB’s technological infrastructure. There were serious concerns about the scope of the breakdown, the delay in admitting the systemic error, and the initial sluggish reaction to the widespread failure.

Additionally, it was thought that Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, was indifferent and contemptuous of the candidates’ suffering when he first said that the bad results were a reflection of “good measurement and checks against cheating.” The consequences were severe and quick. Thousands of applicants posted terrifying stories about system freezes, unfinished questions, and scores that didn’t accurately represent their performance on social media. Others called for the resignation of JAMB’s Registrar, while others even threatened to sue the organization.

Following the public outcry, JAMB decided to retest the impacted candidates beginning on May 16, 2025, and committed to speaking with them directly by phone, email, and text messaging. To look into the reasons and guarantee accountability, the House of Representatives and other interested parties have demanded an independent audit. It is advised to do this in order to stop such unpleasant occurrences from happening again.

The most regrettable but expected outcome of the controversies was that certain voices attempted to politicize or ethnicize the matter, falsely assigning blame along religious or regional lines. Such polarization undermines national unity and diverts attention from the actual work of fixing structural flaws and regaining trust in the testing procedure. Nigerians must rise above such limited viewpoints and unite around the common objective of equitable and high-quality education. In essence, this situation necessitates a coordinated Nigerian response that prioritizes equity and systemic change over scapegoating.

Additionally, even though the UTME disruption’s scope is unprecedented in Nigeria, it serves as a reminder that any system that relies on technology and human input is not flawless. The JAMB experience is not exclusive to any one country. Similar technical issues have been seen by advanced nations with highly developed examination systems, highlighting the fact that no system is perfect.

In the United States, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) experienced a glitch, in March this year, that caused premature submission of answers, leading to unfairly low scores for many students. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) also faced technical problems when transitioning to tablet-based testing, resulting in free retakes for affected candidates. The United Kingdom’s Oxford University admission tests in 2023 were marred by severe technical and administrative issues following a change in test providers, forcing a re-evaluation of their testing platforms.

Notwithstanding its technological prowess and population difficulties, India has seen severe disruptions in national admission examinations, much like Nigeria. In 2009, thousands of applicants were impacted by software malfunctions and malware attacks on the Common Admission Test (CAT). More recently, technical issues with the January 2025 Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) forced affected centers to reschedule their exams.

Even though these instances highlight the worldwide problem of technological errors in exams (which are not always a sign of ineptitude or corruption in Nigeria), JAMB and other significant testing organizations need to take note of them in order to react appropriately when systems malfunction and, more crucially, to diligently prevent such errors due to the significant collateral damage they cause. It is impossible to overstate the significance of readiness, openness, and prompt rehabilitation.

The occurrence undoubtedly raises concerns, and it is advised that it serve as a catalyst for more extensive reforms. Reflective questions for the nation’s educational stakeholders include: What structural flaws made it possible for so many applicants to be impacted by such a big error? How can JAMB prevent future mistakes by striking a balance between risk management and technological innovation?

How can JAMB guarantee that technology advancements are thoroughly examined and consistently implemented throughout all centers? What kind of governance frameworks may be established to enable prompt reaction and real-time monitoring during exams? How can Nigeria create a robust, open, and reliable examination system while taking into account local conditions and learning from international best practices? How can civil society, independent audits, and government monitoring protect the integrity of exams?

Beyond assigning blame, this regrettable situation offers JAMB and the Nigerian educational system a chance to reconsider the validity and reliability of exams. It is a time to reaffirm the dedication to impartial evaluation that accurately represents candidates’ skills and potential as well as a national appeal for unity and advancement. Additionally, parents and teachers need to help students learn how to be resilient in the face of life’s setbacks as well as in exams. Even though this act caused great suffering, these young Nigerians’ futures shouldn’t be defined by it.

For Nigeria’s education system, the 2025 UTME malfunction is a painful but significant event that presents both a chance for change and a window of opportunity to reveal structural flaws. It is instructive that JAMB took the necessary steps to acknowledge its shortcoming and implement corrective measures. Beyond that, it ought to take proactive measures to rebuild public trust in its examination apparatus. In order to identify irregularities early and avoid the premature disclosure of faulty results, these will involve punishing offenders, striking a balance between logistical requirements and candidates’ psychological health, and bolstering internal result verification procedures prior to public release.