UTME Glitches Raise Concerns — Peter Obi, Ezekwesili, Others React Over Toll on Students & Parents
Notable former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, former FRSC Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka, and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are among Nigerians who have responded to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) acknowledgement of mistakes in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, or UTME.
They voiced concern about the effects on students, parents, and the educational system, but they also praised Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, for admitting to the errors.
Obi: Avoid letting errors turn into a catastrophe.
Oloyede’s uncommon display of accountability was praised by Peter Obi, who also cautioned against the harm that can result from technology malfunctions.
Students and their families suffer a great deal on an emotional and psychological level. It has tragically even resulted in fatalities. Strict quality assurance procedures must be implemented by JAMB and other organizations. Public trust depends on open communication and timely problem solving, he stated.
Ezekwesili: A disaster for the country
Stephen Hawking once said, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” Oby Ezekwesili called the scenario a “classic fiasco.”
She chastised officials for first brushing off concerns rather than conducting an unbiased analysis of the system. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa was also criticized by activist Aisha Yesufu for hurriedly blaming the widespread failure on higher exam requirements without first determining the underlying cause.
Chidoka: “Come to court” was not what JAMB said.
Chidoka was relieved that JAMB didn’t assign blame or request that candidates appear in court.
“I applaud JAMB for avoiding the route that many governmental institutions have taken. It acknowledged fault, encouraged discussion, and permitted outside scrutiny rather than avoiding responsibility. “I stand in solidarity with you, affected students,” he said.
ERC recommends delaying the retest.
JAMB was requested by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) to postpone the retake until after the June conclusion of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Comrade Ogunjinmi Isaac, the Deputy National Coordinator for the ERC, contended that applicants who are already overburdened by SSCE exams suffer when they rush through the retake.
Students write on one subject every day for the SSCE. UTME demands independent preparation and covers four subjects simultaneously. It is unfair to put additional strain on candidates as a result of JAMB’s mistakes. After the SSCE, the retest needs to take place,” he said.
The attorney sues the minister and JAMB for N10 billion.
Evans Ufeli, a Lagos-based attorney, has filed a N10 billion lawsuit against JAMB and the Education Minister, claiming technical glitches and systemic irregularities during the 2025 UTME.
The lawsuit, which was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, is on behalf of the impacted candidates and their families. It requests a ruling that JAMB’s actions infringed upon the fundamental rights of pupils as guaranteed by the Child Rights Act, the African Charter on Human Rights, and the Constitution.
Ufeli is requesting N10 billion in general damages for rights infringement, missed opportunities, and psychological distress. Additionally, he wants the 2025 UTME to be void. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.
NANS: Hold JAMB accountable for Timilehin’s demise
The death of Miss Timilehin Faith Opesusi, who allegedly committed suicide after receiving a score of 190 on the UTME, has been attributed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to JAMB.
Vice President (National Affairs) Comrade Tenyo Dighopho issued a statement in which NANS called for Prof. Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, to resign.
This is more than just an administrative mistake—it is a national disgrace because of the anguish, dashed hopes, and now the passing of a bright young student.
According to the statement, JAMB is required to provide Timilehin’s family with financial assistance as well as legal and emotional support.
After learning her UTME score, Timilehin allegedly killed herself in Lagos’ Ikorodu neighborhood.
Reps will look into JAMB.
After a move by Osun State Representative Adewale Adebayo, the House of Representatives decided to look into the UTME issues.
Adebayo brought attention to the difficulties that many Nigerians faced when they traveled great distances to take the test, only to encounter technical difficulties. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas stated that the investigating committee should determine whether or not to commend the JAMB Registrar for acknowledging wrongdoing, notwithstanding Lawmaker Sada Soli’s praise.
Adoption of the motion was unanimous.
Candidates and parents voice concerns about retests.
Parents and impacted applicants have voiced their concerns as JAMB starts the retest today.
One applicant, John Michael Odusanya, called the commute from Ijanikin to Ikorodu “hellish.”
Before the exam even began, I was exhausted. I have to go through that again now,” he bemoaned.
Esther, a mother, challenged JAMB’s assertion that the retest would be free.
“Who is covering our transportation costs? There is no guarantee that this retake will be better, and the expense is significant. Instead of using this hurried schedule, JAMB ought to have stretched out the exam over a month, she noted.
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