The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will today begin the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates affected by technical and human errors during the initial exercise.
The Nation reports that the examination body yesterday sent notices for the retake of the hampered UTME to the affected candidates.
Candidates in Lagos, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia states have begun receiving SMS notifications on the date, time and centres for the rescheduled examination.
A total of 379,997 candidates are expected to participate in the rescheduled examination, following the glitches that marred the original test sessions.
According to JAMB’s text messages, the rescheduled examination will hold today, tomorrow, and Monday.
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who addressed reporters on Wednesday in Abuja on the errors, acknowledged that a combination of human and technological hiccups led to the disruptions in the conduct of this year’s UTME.
The board, however, ruled out sabotage, assuring the public that it was taking corrective measures to ensure a smooth rescheduled UTME.
Also, prominent Nigerians and institutions have been pouring encomiums on Prof. Oloyede for admitting the errors and taking decisive steps to correct the anomaly.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has praised Oloyede for his forthright admission of technical glitches that marred the examination.
In a statement yesterday, Obi described Oloyede’s open acknowledgment of the fault and his expression of remorse as “a rare but commendable display of accountability” in Nigeria’s public institution.
FULL LIST: Six states where candidates affected by JAMB error & date to retake UTME exams
He lauded JAMB’s swift response to the errors, stressing the need for systemic reforms and stronger safeguards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) applauded JAMB for admitting to its errors in the just-concluded 2025 UTME.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the agency hailed JAMB for what it called exceptional transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges that followed the recently released results.
Also, the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) has declared full support for Oloyede over the technical errors.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Chairman, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, JEOG praised the Registrar for his “candour, courage, and transparency” in responding to public concerns and in detailing the technical errors that affected some examination centres.
Also, the management of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) applauded Oloyede for accepting responsibility on the recent glitch that marred this year’s UTME.
Reacting to the development, the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), said: “Only a conscientious, sincere, and courageous leader with genuine compassion for the welfare of the people he serves could openly take responsibility for an incident surrounding the service delivery of an organisation he heads but which glitch was not due to his personal negligence.”
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) sympathised with the candidates affected by the errors.
Reacting to the development yesterday in Abuja, COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, said: “…The recent errors highlight the limitations of technology and the need for diligence and care in its deployment.
FULL LIST: Six states where candidates affected by JAMB error & date to retake UTME exams
