In a major development affecting hundreds of thousands of prospective university students across Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced the rescheduling of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for 379,997 candidates. The decision, which was disclosed in a press statement released by JAMB on Wednesday, follows widespread technical glitches and disruptions experienced during the initial phase of the examination.
Technical Issues Prompt Nationwide Rescheduling
According to JAMB, the affected candidates were scheduled to sit for the UTME between April 19 and April 22, 2025. However, challenges such as biometric verification failures, power outages, and server breakdowns at some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres made it impossible for many to complete their exams.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, described the situation as “deeply regrettable,” assuring the public that the board was working around the clock to ensure a fair and efficient resolution.
“We have identified 379,997 candidates whose examinations were either not conducted or disrupted. These candidates will be rescheduled to take the exam in a few days,” Oloyede said.
New Exam Dates and Notification Process
JAMB has advised affected candidates to check their profiles and registered email addresses regularly for updated exam details. Notifications regarding the new exam date, time, and venue will be sent via SMS, email, and made available on JAMB’s official website.
Affected candidates would begin receiving text messages from Thursday, May 15, 2025, informing them of their new examination dates. The exam retake will commence Friday May 16th. He directed them to reprint their examination slips for the rescheduled examination dates.
Measures to Prevent Future Disruptions
To avoid a repeat of the disruption, JAMB announced it will discontinue the use of over 50 underperforming CBT centres, some of which were found to be directly responsible for the breakdowns. The board also plans to deploy additional technical support teams across states during the rescheduled exams.
“This rescheduling is not a punishment but a necessary correction to ensure every candidate has a fair chance to sit for the exam without technical hindrance,” the board stated.
Mixed Reactions from Candidates and Parents
Reactions have been mixed, with some candidates expressing relief at the opportunity to retake the exam, while others voiced frustration over the stress and uncertainty the situation has caused.
“I prepared so hard for the exam, only to be told I couldn’t write it because the system failed,” said Zainab Musa, a candidate in Kaduna. “I just hope this second chance will be better managed.”
Parents and educators have called on JAMB to increase investments in infrastructure and staff training to minimize technical lapses in future exams.
What Candidates Should Do
JAMB has urged all affected candidates to:
- Regularly check their JAMB profiles and emails for rescheduling details.
- Visit the official JAMB website (www.jamb.gov.ng) for verified updates.
- Prepare for the retake as they would a fresh exam, as no advantage or disadvantage will be given due to the earlier disruption.
As Nigeria’s primary gateway to tertiary education, the credibility of the UTME process is vital. While this rescheduling has introduced an unexpected delay, JAMB maintains that its goal remains a fair, transparent, and efficient examination process for all.
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