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JAMB Error Sparks Outrage: Ex-Provost Demands Punishment for Those Responsible

Professor Kolawole Kola-Kazeem, a former provost of the College of Education, Ilesa, which is now the University of Education, Ilesa, Osun State, has called the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) error a blatant example of human error.

In order to stop the mistake from happening again, he insisted that those who made it be held accountable.

Professor Kola-Kazeem acknowledged the emotional seriousness of the situation and the need for systemic change during his Thursday appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. In order to stop the mistake from happening again, he insisted that those who made it be held accountable.

Professor Kola-Kazeem acknowledged the emotional seriousness of the situation and the need for systemic change during his Thursday appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

A 70-year-old guy crying live on TV should say a thousand words. That indicates that things are more complicated than he believes they should be. That demonstrates the scope of the problem.

“Anything that has occurred is the result of human error, and those who are accountable for all of these violations ought to face consequences.” One of the problems we have here is that there are never any repercussions for violations. “There must be consequences,” he said.

Additionally, Professor Kazeem emphasized the unfair effect on pupils and stated that the required changes have to be made.

“Unnecessary and unjustified punishment has been administered to certain children. Therefore, we ought to figure out how to prevent similar occurrences from happening again. To ensure that this doesn’t happen again, we must assist the registrar in making all the required changes,” he stated.

Exam Process Reduction

Yomi Fawehinmi, an expert in education and human resources, also criticized JAMB for how it handled the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He demanded a thorough overhaul of the university admissions procedure and questioned the board’s decision to proceed with the examinations despite technological difficulties.

Because JAMB undertook enough self-reflection, these mistakes were not found. According to the registrar’s press statement, they discovered an issue during the examination.

The expert said, “I’m worried that JAMB realized something was wrong and did not immediately stop the exam.”

Concerned about the strain on Nigerian students, Fawehinmi stated that fewer tests should be required to be admitted.

Additionally, he recommended that JAMB’s duties be limited to university admissions, as the 1978 directive had initially called for.

“Nigerian students shouldn’t take three tests to get admitted. We shouldn’t have more than two, in my opinion. The number of universities that require JAMB for admission ought to be decreased.

“Let JAMB concentrate on getting into universities. People would have other options if they didn’t succeed with JAMB, and the concentration would be more focused,” he continued.

JAMB Acknowledges Error

Shortly after JAMB acknowledged that technical issues impacted candidates’ performance in the 2025 UTME, the former provost and an education specialist made their remarks.

JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede expressed regret for the setback during a news conference in Abuja, describing it as a “human error.” He affirmed that beginning on May 16, 2025, 379,997 impacted applicants would repeat the test.

The board claimed that the widespread low scores were caused by a problem that happened in 157 out of 887 centers. Exam slips will be reprinted for impacted candidates upon contact.

In response to widespread complaints, JAMB fast-tracked its review process and engaged academic and tech experts. Meanwhile, education minister Tunji Alausa had attributed the mass failure to JAMB’s improved anti-cheating technology, recommending its use in WAEC and NECO.