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

The South East Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for the immediate resignation of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, following what they describe as a “catastrophic institutional failure” in the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The caucus has also demanded a total cancellation of the 2025 UTME examinations and a new date fixed for a nationwide retake.

The demand was contained in a statement signed by the Caucus Leader, Representative Igariwey Iduma Enwo, on Monday.

The Caucus expressed deep concern over the direct impact of JAMB’s “score distortions” on the five South Eastern states they represent.

The Registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but then, leadership must carry consequences. We, therefore, call on the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to do the needful, by resigning his appointment, to pave way for a thorough examination and remediation of the root causes of this national shame. That’s the way to go in any civilized democracy, and we expect no less.

The lawmakers criticized JAMB’s response as a “kneejerk and fire brigade approach,” stating it has been insufficient and undesirable.

They highlighted that traumatized students in the South Eastern states, many of whom are still taking WAEC examinations, were given less than 48 hours’ notice to retake the rescheduled UTME.

According to the Caucus, reports indicate that the short notice led to a low turnout, and in some cases, the rescheduled examination clashed with ongoing WAEC papers, resulting in “heart wrenching” and “agonizingly shambolic” outcomes for students and parents.

ALSO READ : Fake Vatican Photos: Obi’s Media Adviser Sets the Record Straight

The Caucus reminded Nigerians that JAMB, as a government agency, is expected to uphold the fundamental constitutional obligation of ensuring “equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels” as enshrined in section 18(1) of the 1999 constitution. They argued that for thousands of students in the South East, the “tainted and flawed outcome” of the 2025 UTME has “clearly stripped and denied them of any equal and adequate educational opportunities.”

The South East Caucus supported the advice from the Association of Tutorial School Operators, which suggested that the UTME should be moved to July/August, after the completion of WAEC and NECO examinations, to ensure no prospective candidate is disadvantaged.

They concluded that “apologies, platitudes and public relations campaigns, are not enough in addressing the far-reaching and gargantuan implications of the national embarrassment” caused by JAMB’s conduct of the 2025 UTME.

They also called for the immediate suspension of those in command of JAMB’s digital operations and examination logistics.

Earlier on Sunday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu had also called for a thorough investigation into the technical glitches that led to the massive failure of candidates, particularly in Lagos and the South East.