JAMB Registrar Breaks Down in Tears, Admits Error in 2025 UTME, Apologizes to Affected Students

In an emotionally charged moment that left many stunned, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, broke down in tears while publicly admitting to an error in the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Addressing the press at the JAMB headquarters in Abuja, the Registrar, visibly shaken, acknowledged that despite the board's best efforts, they are human and prone to mistakes. He sincerely apologized to the affected candidates, emphasizing that the board takes full responsibility for the errors that occurred during the examinations.

Professor Oloyede's emotional breakdown followed the widespread criticism that trailed the recent UTME, where several candidates from the South-East and Lagos states reported being unable to sit for the examination due to logistical challenges and system failures. These issues, which surfaced during the initial phase of the examination, sparked outrage among students and parents who demanded accountability from the examination body. The Registrar, deeply moved by the gravity of the situation, expressed regret and admitted that the board could have done better in ensuring a seamless examination process.

In a rare display of vulnerability, Professor Oloyede reiterated that the board's intention was never to cause distress to the candidates and their families. "Despite our best efforts, we are human and not perfect," he stated tearfully, adding that the board has learned valuable lessons from the experience. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and correcting mistakes rather than downplaying or ignoring them, a stance that resonated with many who were present at the conference.

To mitigate the damage and provide a fair opportunity to affected candidates, the JAMB Registrar announced that fresh examinations would be conducted for 379,997 candidates who were unable to sit for the original test. These rescheduled exams will take place across the five states of the South-East and Lagos, where the errors were most pronounced. Professor Oloyede assured the candidates that the board is fully committed to making the new arrangements hitch-free and devoid of the previous complications.

The board disclosed that details regarding the rescheduled exams would be sent to affected candidates via text messages starting from May 15. Professor Oloyede urged candidates to remain calm and vigilant, checking their phones regularly for notifications from JAMB. He also advised them to avoid falling victim to misinformation and to rely solely on official communication from the board.

The registrar explained that the decision to conduct fresh exams was made after a thorough review of the issues encountered during the initial UTME. He revealed that JAMB had identified the root causes of the problems and has since taken steps to prevent a recurrence. Professor Oloyede pointed out that while the board had employed advanced technology and improved logistics to facilitate the examination process, unforeseen technical glitches and human errors led to the unfortunate outcome.

Reactions to the JAMB Registrar's public apology have been mixed. While some commend his courage and transparency, others remain skeptical about the board's ability to deliver on its promise of a seamless rescheduled exam. Parents and candidates alike expressed relief that the board acknowledged the problem and is making efforts to rectify it, but they also stressed the need for more stringent quality control measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Social media platforms were awash with reactions shortly after the press briefing, with many users sharing clips of the Registrar's tearful apology. While some empathized with his candidness, others questioned why such a significant lapse could occur despite the board's longstanding experience in conducting the UTME. "It takes courage to admit one's mistakes publicly, but it is also important to ensure that such errors do not happen in the first place," a concerned parent wrote on Twitter.

Critics of the examination body argued that the recurrence of errors during UTME reflects deeper systemic challenges within JAMB. They called for a comprehensive overhaul of the board's processes, emphasizing the need for better planning, effective monitoring, and real-time troubleshooting mechanisms. Education stakeholders stressed that as a body responsible for determining the academic future of millions of Nigerian youths, JAMB cannot afford to make errors of such magnitude.

In contrast, some supporters praised Professor Oloyede's forthrightness, noting that his admission of fault demonstrates a rare sense of accountability in public office. A university lecturer remarked that owning up to mistakes and proactively addressing them sets a positive precedent for other institutions. "The human factor can never be completely eliminated in complex operations like the UTME, but JAMB must continually strive to minimize errors," he added.

The fallout from the UTME mishap has put JAMB under intense scrutiny, with calls from student unions and advocacy groups for compensation for affected candidates. While the board has not yet commented on the possibility of compensatory measures, Professor Oloyede assured that every effort would be made to ensure that the rescheduled exams run smoothly and without any hitch.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar reiterated JAMB’s commitment to fairness and excellence, promising that the board would not rest until every affected candidate has been duly attended to. He urged stakeholders to continue to support JAMB’s mission of improving the standard of tertiary admissions in Nigeria while acknowledging that there is still much work to be done.

As the dust settles on the emotional apology, the real test will lie in the successful conduct of the rescheduled examinations. Affected candidates are holding on to the Registrar’s promise and hoping that JAMB’s remedial efforts will restore their confidence in the examination process. With the fresh exams set to commence soon, all eyes are on JAMB to deliver a flawless and transparent process that will reassure candidates and stakeholders alike.