In an unprecedented show of remorse, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), broke down in tears during a live press conference as he apologized for widespread technical failures that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The emotional scene unfolded as Oloyede acknowledged that over 12,000 candidates experienced serious problems including system crashes that locked students out of exams, biometric verification failures, and missing results – technical glitches that have jeopardized university admission chances for many Nigerian students.
“I stand before you today with a heavy heart,” the visibly distraught professor said, pausing to wipe tears. “These weren’t just system errors – they were dreams disrupted, futures put on hold. On behalf of JAMB, I offer my deepest apologies to every affected student and parent.”
The admission body has now pledged to provide free exam retakes for all impacted candidates and has opened emergency help centers across Nigeria’s 36 states to address complaints.
Breakdown of UTME Failures
✔ System Collapse: 14-hour outage during critical exam period
✔ Biometric Issues: 8,200+ students couldn’t verify identity
✔ Missing Results: 3,700+ scores not uploaded
✔ Access Problems: Thousands couldn’t print admission slips
JAMB’s Compensation Plan
► Free 2026 UTME registration for affected candidates
► Special help desks open nationwide
► Investigation into technical partners launched
Why This Matters
- Impacts 1.8 million university hopefuls
- Threatens admission timelines for 2025/2026 session
- Raises serious concerns about Nigeria’s exam infrastructure
Public Reaction
- Parents’ groups demand accountability
- Students share frustration on social media
- Education Minister orders full audit
