JAMB to Conduct Mop-Up Exams for Candidates Affected by Technical Glitches in 2025 UTME
Abuja, May 21, 2025 – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to conduct a special mop-up examination for candidates who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to technical glitches, absenteeism, or other reasons. The announcement was made by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
Scope and Rationale
JAMB revealed that over 5.6% of registered candidates—approximately 90,000 students—did not sit for the UTME either during the main exam in April or the rescheduled exam in May. This figure includes about 19,000 candidates who missed the rescheduled exam and 71,701 who were absent during the initial sitting.
To ensure fairness and inclusivity, JAMB is creating a new mop-up exam opportunity for all affected candidates regardless of the reasons for their absence. Professor Oloyede explained,
“Normally, we hold one mop-up nationwide for those with one issue or another. But this time, we are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier exam due to absence will get another opportunity.”
He emphasized that this is a standard practice akin to make-up exams in educational institutions and not an extraordinary measure, provided there is no abuse of the system.
Addressing Concerns and Criticism
The mop-up exam follows widespread public concerns and criticism over the 2025 UTME process, including allegations of ethnic bias, administrative incompetence, and technical failures affecting candidates, especially in Lagos and the South-East states.
Professor Oloyede dismissed conspiracy theories and ethnic interpretations of the glitches, saying,
“I take responsibility, not because I failed, but because that’s leadership. I didn’t even realise people viewed issues around me through ethnic lenses. We must rise above such profiling.”
He also praised the resilience of candidates and staff who managed to navigate logistical challenges during the exam period, noting the limited testing space and the urgency to avoid further delays in the academic calendar.
Scheduling and Next Steps
The date for the mop-up examination will be announced soon, with candidates advised to monitor official JAMB communications. The board reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, transparency, and integrity in the admissions process.
Impact and Reactions
The mop-up exam has been welcomed by many students and education stakeholders as a necessary step to ensure no candidate loses admission opportunities due to technical or logistical issues. However, some lawmakers, particularly from the South-East caucus in the House of Representatives, have called for the cancellation of the 2025 UTME and the resignation of Professor Oloyede, citing the glitches as unacceptable.
