Prominent Nigerians have expressed concern over the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) admission of technical failures in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), urging reforms and greater accountability.
2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi commended JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for admitting the lapses but warned of the emotional toll on students and families. “The psychological toll is severe. In heartbreaking cases, it has even led to death. JAMB and other institutions must adopt rigorous quality assurance processes. Transparent communication and prompt resolution of issues are vital for public trust,” he said.
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili described the situation as a “classic fiasco,” quoting Stephen Hawking: “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” She criticised authorities for initially dismissing students’ concerns instead of objectively examining the system. Activist Aisha Yesufu also condemned Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa for attributing the mass failure to stricter standards without fully understanding the root cause.
Former FRSC Corps Marshal Osita Chidoka welcomed JAMB’s approach, saying he was relieved that the agency did not shift blame or ask candidates to go to court. “I commend JAMB for not taking the path of many public institutions. Instead of deflecting blame, it admitted fault, invited dialogue, and allowed external review. To affected students, I stand in solidarity with you,” he said.
The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has called for a postponement of the rescheduled UTME until after the ongoing Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). Deputy National Coordinator Comrade Ogunjinmi Isaac argued that conducting the resit during SSCE adds unnecessary pressure. “For SSCE, students write one subject per day. UTME involves four subjects at once. It’s unjust to burden candidates further due to JAMB’s errors,” he said.
In Lagos, lawyer Evans Ufeli has filed a N10 billion suit against JAMB and the Minister of Education, citing systemic irregularities and the psychological harm caused to candidates. Filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the suit seeks a declaration that JAMB violated students’ rights and demands damages for trauma, lost opportunities, and rights violations. He also seeks the nullification of the 2025 UTME.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) blamed JAMB for the reported suicide of Miss Timilehin Faith Opesusi, who allegedly took her life after receiving a score of 190 in the UTME. In a statement, NANS Vice President Comrade Tenyo Dighopho called for Prof. Oloyede’s resignation. “The trauma, shattered dreams, and now the death of a promising young student make this more than an administrative error—it is a national disgrace,” he said. NANS demanded compensation for Timilehin’s family and called for legal and psychological support.
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the matter following a motion by Rep. Adewale Adebayo of Osun State, who highlighted the difficulties many candidates faced. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that while the registrar’s admission of fault was rare, it would be up to the investigative committee to decide on any commendation. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Meanwhile, candidates and parents have expressed frustration over the resit. John Michael Odusanya, a student from Ijanikin, described his experience commuting to Ikorodu as “hellish.” “I was drained before the exam even began. Now I have to go through it all again,” he said.
A mother, Esther, questioned the cost implications. “JAMB says the resit is free, but who pays for our transport? The schedule is rushed and stressful. They should have spread it over a month,” she said.
As JAMB proceeds with the resit, pressure continues to mount for a comprehensive review of its processes to prevent future crises in Nigeria’s education system.
