The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has issued a strong rebuke of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over its handling of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), calling the process deeply flawed and poorly managed.
In a statement released on Friday, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the NNPP’s Southwest coordinator, criticized JAMB’s current leadership, asserting that those in charge are not competent to manage such a critical institution.
The criticism comes amid reports of serious irregularities in UTME results. In one widely discussed case, a candidate’s score inexplicably dropped from 150 to 120 days after the exam, prompting public concern and outrage.
Ajadi condemned the examination body’s performance, highlighting its vital role in shaping the futures of millions of young Nigerians aspiring to gain admission into higher institutions. He argued that an apology from the registrar was insufficient, particularly in light of reports that some students had died due to stress and despair related to the examination process.
He urged the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education to launch a thorough investigation into JAMB’s operations and to hold those responsible for the failures accountable. He also offered condolences to the affected families and called for a comprehensive review of JAMB’s systems.
Ajadi recommended decentralizing the administration of the UTME as a way to enhance effectiveness and reduce pressure on JAMB. He also stressed that if exams need to be rescheduled, candidates should be given ample time to prepare to prevent a recurrence of past mistakes.
“The recent admission of faults by JAMB is a national disgrace,” he said. “Their inefficiency has brought pain and hardship to many families. The government must act swiftly and decisively to rectify these issues.”
