Reps Panel: 2025 UTME Mix-Up Caused by Human Error, Not Tech Failure
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has confirmed that the discrepancies in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results were caused by human error, not a technical malfunction, as initially suggested.
This clarification follows an earlier admission by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who, during a press briefing on May 14, 2025, acknowledged that the board had released inaccurate results for some candidates.
Speaking emotionally, Oloyede emphasized that while the board had worked diligently to conduct a smooth and credible examination, mistakes were made, reflecting the fallibility of human systems.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, Committee Chairman Oboku Oforji disclosed that the committee’s preliminary investigation revealed that over 300,000 candidates were affected due to human negligence, rather than a system-wide technical breakdown.
Professor Oloyede had earlier referred to the issue as a systemic failure, particularly impacting candidates in five states, including Lagos and parts of the Southeast.
In response, JAMB has announced that 379,997 affected candidates will be given the opportunity to retake the examination.
Chairman Oforji, speaking alongside fellow lawmakers, offered an apology on behalf of JAMB to the affected students and their families.
“We sincerely apologise to all Nigerians for this distressing situation,” he said.
He also commended Professor Oloyede’s honesty and transparency in taking responsibility on behalf of JAMB and issuing a public apology.
However, Oforji criticized the board for the avoidable nature of the error, describing it as a result of administrative negligence.
“While we acknowledge JAMB’s overall consistency in its processes, from registration to result release, this incident highlights the need for tighter oversight and accountability,” he added.
The committee is now calling for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the incident and has proposed a series of reforms aimed at preventing such failures in the future.
Oforji also praised the determination of Nigerian students and their continued pursuit of academic excellence despite systemic challenges.
“This is not just about correcting a mistake—it’s about restoring trust in our education system,” he concluded.
Reps Panel: 2025 UTME Mix-Up Caused by Human Error, Not Tech Failure