The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives has called for the immediate resignation of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, following the widespread technical failures that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The caucus, led by Hon. Igariwey Enwo (Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State), condemned the board’s handling of the exam, which affected nearly 380,000 candidates, many of whom are now required to resit the test.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the lawmakers questioned why the five Southeastern states were disproportionately impacted by what JAMB described as “technical glitches,” saying the situation has caused needless trauma for students and families.
“We are deeply concerned that all five Southeastern states we represent were significantly affected by these so-called score distortions,” the statement read.
Referencing the admission by Prof. Oloyede on May 14, 2025, the caucus said it was unacceptable that 379,997 candidates must retake the exam due to system failures at certain centres.
“Over the past week, we have exercised restraint, hoping JAMB would implement credible remedial measures. Unfortunately, its response has been grossly inadequate — from poor communication to scheduling resits during ongoing WAEC exams, and providing students with very short notice,” the lawmakers said.
They called for the cancellation of the 2025 UTME and the scheduling of a new exam date, preferably after the WAEC and NECO examinations, to avoid disadvantaging students.
The caucus further demanded the suspension of JAMB officials responsible for the digital and logistics operations of the exam, describing the incident as a “catastrophic institutional failure” that has eroded public confidence in the examination body.
While acknowledging Prof. Oloyede’s public apology, the lawmakers insisted that accountability must extend beyond verbal regret, arguing that his resignation would pave the way for an independent investigation and help restore trust in JAMB.
“JAMB has a constitutional duty to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities for all Nigerian children. That obligation has been undermined in this instance,” the statement concluded.
