Shaken Confidence: JAMB orders retake for 380,000 candidates amid UTME errors

In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s education sector, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ordered a retake of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for nearly 380,000 candidates. The decision, prompted by widespread technical glitches and irregularities, has ignited a national debate over the credibility of standardized testing and the emotional toll on young Nigerians striving for academic advancement.

“We discovered significant errors during the conduct of the examination in certain centers,” said JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin during a press briefing. “In the interest of fairness, the Board has resolved to give affected candidates a second chance.”

The announcement, while welcomed by some as a fair corrective, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s most important university entrance examination—an exam that can define the course of a young person’s future.

Adding to the mounting tension, JAMB has announced it will be releasing the results of the 2025 UTME either today or tomorrow, a move that could either restore a measure of trust or deepen frustrations, depending on the transparency and accuracy of the release.

A Generation on Edge

For millions of Nigerian youths, the UTME is more than just an exam—it is a rite of passage. A high score opens doors to top universities, scholarships, and professional aspirations. For many, especially those from low-income backgrounds, it is a chance to break cycles of poverty.

“Now we have to go through this pressure all over again,” says Ugochi Nwafor, a 17-year-old from Enugu who was among the candidates affected. “I studied for months. I went in, did my best, and then they tell us it didn’t count?”

Ugochi’s story echoes across social media platforms where hashtags like #JAMBRetake and #UTME2025 have trended, with students and parents expressing frustration, anxiety, and in some cases, outright despair.

What Went Wrong?

According to JAMB, the issues stemmed from technical failures in certain CBT (Computer-Based Test) centers. Reports include frozen computer screens, incomplete questions, and premature system logouts—challenges candidates had little control over.

Education stakeholders, however, are questioning how such widespread failures could occur in a system that has been digital for nearly a decade.

“We’ve been conducting CBT exams since 2015,” said Dr. Kehinde Adebayo, an education policy analyst. “There is no excuse for such systemic errors at this scale. It points to either negligence or infrastructural failure.”

Some have even alleged sabotage or corruption in the operation of private CBT centers, prompting calls for stricter monitoring and accountability.

ALSO READ: South-East Reps caucus demand JAMB registrar’s resignation, fresh 2025 UTME

Impact Beyond Numbers

Beyond statistics, the retake decision has human consequences. Students have to rearrange study schedules, miss planned post-UTME screenings at universities, and in some cases, travel long distances again to sit for the exam.

“It’s not just about retaking the exam. It’s the mental stress, the cost of transportation, feeding, accommodation—and doing it all over again without assurance that it won’t happen a second time,” says Mr. Ismail Lawal, a father of two candidates from Kwara State.

The disruption is particularly acute for candidates from rural areas or under-resourced schools, where access to technology and internet infrastructure is already limited.

A Blow to Trust

The broader concern is the erosion of trust in a system meant to be the great equalizer. For years, JAMB has tried to shed the shadows of malpractice, score inflation, and ghost candidates by adopting technology. Yet, this crisis has raised fundamental questions about system preparedness and institutional transparency.

“Confidence in public institutions, especially in education, is hard to earn and easy to lose,” warns Dr. Adebayo. “We must fix this now or risk undermining the future of our youth.”

JAMB’s Response and the Road Ahead

In response, JAMB has promised a more secure, monitored retake, expected to take place in late May. The board has also vowed to blacklist erring CBT centers and compensate affected students with priority placements in subsequent university admission processes.

Still, critics insist more needs to be done. Civil society organizations and student unions are calling for an independent audit of the 2025 UTME process and a national education emergency roundtable to address deeper structural issues.

As the dust settles, nearly 380,000 young Nigerians are preparing—again—to prove themselves. They do so under the weight of uncertainty, stress, and waning trust in the system meant to empower them.

The UTME retake is more than a do-over; it is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, competence, and the value it places on the dreams of its youth. With JAMB poised to release results within hours or by tomorrow, the nation watches—hoping for clarity, accountability, and a better way forward.