May 21, (THEWILL) – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to conduct a mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates who missed the recently rescheduled exercise.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with Chief External Examiners, State Technical Advisers, and other officials in Abuja.
About 379,997 candidates across the South-East states and Lagos sat for the rescheduled UTME between Friday and Monday. However, the exercise drew criticism from parents and stakeholders who faulted the timing, citing clashes with ongoing WAEC and NECO examinations.
Responding to the concerns, Oloyede said JAMB would offer another opportunity for candidates who, for various reasons, were unable to sit for both the main and rescheduled UTME.
“We are taking immediate steps to conduct a mop-up examination for candidates who missed the rescheduled UTME. In universities, we have make-up exams—this is no different. We simply do not want it abused,” he said.
Addressing the timing of the rescheduled exam, Oloyede explained that JAMB operates within a tight academic calendar.
“Many people questioning the timing don’t understand the realities on the ground. Once JAMB concludes its UTME in April, WAEC and NECO begin almost immediately, followed by NABTEB. These are the same set of candidates. If we miss the timeline, it becomes very difficult,” he explained.
He added, “Some have asked why we didn’t shift it to July or August. But what about the NDA, Police Academy, Air Force exams, and other institutions that rely on UTME scores? Delaying further would jeopardise admissions for these candidates. We are simply being responsible.”
Oloyede reaffirmed the board’s commitment to integrity and fairness, dismissing allegations that candidates from the South-East were deliberately targeted.
“There was no attempt to undermine any region. Every candidate is Nigerian and deserves equal opportunity. As head of JAMB, I don’t focus on where my staff come from. What matters is their ability to do the job,” he said.
He also addressed the emotional toll of the crisis, revealing that he had considered resigning following the technical and human errors that marred the process.
“When the incident happened, my initial thought was to resign. But respected individuals advised against it, saying the students would feel abandoned. It was tough, but managing the crisis and ensuring fairness was the right thing to do,” Oloyede added.
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