Parents of candidates affected by the technical glitch in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are calling on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to postpone the planned resit, which begins today, May 16, until June 2025.
JAMB had announced via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday that affected candidates must reprint their examination slips for the resit scheduled between May 16 and May 18. “All the affected candidates will be contacted to reprint their examination slips towards retaking their examinations starting from 16th May, 2025 (today),” the board stated.
One affected student shared a screenshot of an SMS he received:
“You have been scheduled to sit the 2025 UTME Resit examination slated for Friday, May 16, 2025 by 12:00 pm.”
However, the short notice, coupled with the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), has sparked concern and outrage among parents.
In separate interviews with The PUNCH, many parents expressed frustration over the stress placed on their children, citing the clash with WAEC papers, logistical challenges, and emotional trauma.
Mr. Bukola Omoniyi, whose son returned to his school in Oyo State after the initial UTME, said:
“This is unfair. My child is now back in Ibadan and got a message on Thursday that he has to write UTME in Lagos on Saturday. He’s currently writing WAEC. How do you expect him to travel back and forth with no time to prepare?”
Similarly, Mrs. Aisha Okikiola said her daughter is mentally strained from juggling two national exams:
“She’s sitting for WAEC on Sunday and now has to prepare for UTME on Saturday. These exams have different syllabuses. This is overwhelming. JAMB should move the resit to June so students can focus and recover.”
A school principal in Enugu, speaking anonymously, added:
“Nearly all our SS3 students are affected. They’re writing WAEC and are now expected to prepare for another exam with no breathing space. Many have faraway centres. It’s not safe or reasonable.”
Mr. Felix Onuoha, a parent from Imo State, echoed these sentiments, saying the children should not be penalized for JAMB’s error:
“They need time to recover and prepare properly. A June resit is only fair.”
Earlier this week, JAMB admitted that a technical failure during a system update disrupted examinations for over 379,000 candidates across 157 centres, 65 in Lagos and 92 across five southeastern states. Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede described the glitch as a regrettable setback and took full responsibility.
“I apologise and take full responsibility, not just in words,” Oloyede stated during a press briefing.
Despite the backlash, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) urged cooperation. NAPTAN President Haruna Danjuma appealed to parents to support JAMB’s efforts to conduct a smooth resit:
“Though this situation is painful, JAMB has accepted its mistake and offered a chance to retake the exam. Let’s cooperate to ensure success.”
However, JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, did not respond to calls or messages regarding whether the board would consider the parents’ appeal for a postponement.
Meanwhile, statistics from the 2025 UTME show that over 78% of candidates scored below 200 out of 400, sparking national criticism and calls for reform. Many candidates have protested, alleging their actual performance did not reflect the results they received.
These concerns have prompted the House of Representatives to launch an investigation into the technical error, following a motion by Osun State lawmaker Adewale Adebayo. The House also urged the Federal Government to establish Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in all local government areas to avoid long travel distances in future exams.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, praised JAMB for admitting its faults. NOA Director-General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu described JAMB’s transparency as a rare act of accountability but stressed that acknowledgment must be followed by real remedies, including psychological support and possible compensation for affected students.
MSSN also commended JAMB for its swift action but insisted that those responsible for the technical glitch be held accountable. The group further demanded that JAMB issue clear guidelines to all CBT centres to respect students’ rights, following an incident in which a female Muslim candidate was allegedly forced to remove her hijab before taking her exam. The case is now in court.
In response, MSSN President Kamoldeen Abiona said:
“No student should be made to choose between their faith and education. Respecting religious rights must be part of JAMB’s conduct standards.”
As pressure mounts from all sides, parents, lawmakers, civil society, and religious groups, many await JAMB’s final response on whether the May 16–18 resit dates will stand or be shifted to a later period.
