By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu yesterday, raised serious concerns bothering on the activities and competence of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), blasting the examination body for demonstrating gross incompetence, frustrating Nigerians and the nation’s education system in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Kalu, who addressed the House of Representatives Correspondents on his misgivings, said the examination body has cost Nigerian people so much pain, leaving candidates traumatized and hopeless.

“The mass outcry that followed the release of this year’s results, and the subsequent technical review, demands not only transparency but decisive action to restore faith in our educational system.

“First of all, let me begin by commending the candor, touching humility, and accountability demonstrated by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and his team in admitting to the technical errors that affected nearly 380,000 candidates across the South-East Geopolitical Zone and Lagos. The swift apology and the decision to offer retake opportunities for all affected candidates reflect a commitment to fairness and justice.

“However, we must recognize that these measures, while necessary, do not erase the trauma, disruption, and uncertainty experienced by our young people and their families. Nigeria unfortunately lost a UTME candidate to suicide, consequentially triggered by the ensuing results of this technical glitch. Our heart goes out to the loved ones of this brave young one.”

On the technical Issues in Detail, the Deputy Speaker who sounded quite displeased said, “The technical review results available to me have revealed that a critical system patch essential for the new shuffling and validation protocols was not deployed to the server clusters servicing 157 centres in the South-East and Lagos.

“One of the most critical discoveries made revolved around three major systemic changes introduced in the 2025 UTME. The first was a shift from the traditional count-based analysis to a more robust source-based analysis of results. In previous years, JAMB evaluated the integrity of examination sessions primarily by counting the number of responses submitted per session. If the majority of candidates in a session of 250 submitted a near-complete set of answers, the session was deemed valid.

“Any significant deviation led to the disqualification of that centre’s results.

However, in 2025, a more advanced model was adopted; one that focused on the actual source and logic of the answers provided, rather than just their quantity.

“The second change involved full-scale shuffling of both questions and answer options. This ensured that even two candidates sitting in the same session would not receive identical permutations, thereby enhancing test security. The third change was a series of systemic improvements aimed at optimizing performance and reducing lag during exam sessions. This was a major policy change that saw the best and highest obtained UTME score in 15 years; a remarkable achievement by JAMB in principle.

“However, while these improvements were technologically sound in theory, a major operational flaw was uncovered during the implementation phase.

“The system patch necessary to support both shuffling and source-based validation had been fully deployed on the server cluster supporting the KAD (Kaduna) zone, but it was not applied to the LAG (Lagos) cluster, which services centres in Lagos and the South-East. This omission persisted across all sessions until the 17th session, after which the error was discovered and corrected.

“As a result, approximately 92 centres in the South-East and 65 centres in Lagos, totalling 157 centres, operated using outdated server logic that could not appropriately handle the new answer submission and marking structure. This affected an estimated 379,997 candidates, whose results were severely impacted due to system mismatches during answer validation.

“To verify the scale and accuracy of this issue, JAMB collaborated with the Educare Technical Team, which had gathered response data directly from over 18,000 candidates. After deduplication and filtering, about 15,000 authentic records were analyzed. Of these, more than 14,000 originated from the regions serviced by the unpatched LAG servers, confirming the technical review’s findings. Comparative analyses between JAMB’s internal audits and third-party system evaluations revealed significant overlap, reinforcing the conclusion that the affected centres were indeed operating under impaired conditions.

“As a result, candidates in these centres were unfairly disadvantaged, with their responses improperly validated and their scores misrepresented. This was not a failure of our students, nor a deliberate act of sabotage, but a preventable human error within our system.

“We must not underestimate the toll this has taken. Parents and candidates have voiced legitimate concerns about the hurried scheduling of re-sit examinations, the overlap with ongoing WAEC assessments, the psychological strain, and the logistical burdens of traveling to distant centres on short notice.

“Reports from the resit examinations held on Friday include complaints of difficult questions, time management issues, more technical glitches, poor centre coordination, and a lack of adequate support for those still affected.”

The Deputy Speaker demanded that, in light of these revelations, urgent actions must be taken to protect all candidates that registered for the examination in year 2925.

He demanded a comprehensive review of all Reports, insisting that, “JAMB must immediately review all available technical and independent reports including those from third-party educational technology companies that have gathered candidate-level data to fully understand the scope and implications of the crisis. Only by triangulating internal findings with external audits can we ensure that no affected candidate is left behind.”

Equally, he demanded for an independent System audit, stating that, “Now that the rescheduled examinations have concluded, I urge JAMB to commission an independent, transparent audit of its entire examination infrastructure. This audit should involve external professionals, system engineers, and academic measurement experts to scrutinize every aspect of the CBT engine, question delivery, answer validation, and result collation processes.”

Kalu called for the safeguarding of affected Candidates, stressing that, “It is imperative that candidates from the South-East and Lagos who have already borne the brunt of these failures are not further disadvantaged.

“JAMB must provide a clear, accessible mechanism for remark and appeal, especially for those dissatisfied with the hurried re-sit or who experienced technical difficulties during the second sitting. Furthermore, coordination with WAEC and other examination bodies must continue to ensure that no candidate’s academic progression is impeded by scheduling conflicts.

He sought transparent communication and Data Release, maintaining that, “JAMB should proactively publish anonymized, candidate-level result data for independent verification and open its systems to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests as a gesture of transparency and accountability.

This will go a long way in rebuilding public trust.”

The Deputy Speaker called for the strengthening of Quality Assurance and Real-Time Monitoring saying that, “going forward, JAMB must implement stronger deployment validation protocols and real-time monitoring mechanisms to prevent recurrence.Every system update must be thoroughly tested and confirmed across all server clusters before deployment during high-stakes examinations.”

Admonishing the affected candidates, Kalu said, “Your frustration is valid, and your voices have been heard. The integrity of our national examinations must never be compromised by technical lapses or human error. As Deputy Speaker, Iassure you that the National Assembly stands ready to provide oversight and ensure that these reforms are not only promised but delivered.

“Let us turn this painful episode into a catalyst for lasting improvement. Our young people deserve a system that is not only fair, but resilient, transparent, and worthy of their trust.I end with this word of note to JAMB: “Strive even when you stumble; transparency and honesty builds trust, and trust propels us forward.”

Several candidates across the country have raised diverse concerns with the processes as superintendent by the examination body, JAMB.

Several candidates went to their centres but could not write due to technical issues in taking their biometrics and were recaptured with a promised reschedule, which has not been communicated yet, leaving candidates in panic.

Others were outrightly said to have been deprived from writing the examination for being minors, after all processes were completed and the Print Out issued.

Some who wrote the examination reported issues accessing their results with the issues code, averting that the network kept deducting their money, without offering the requested service.

Certain interests in the academic sector have continued to call for the scrapping of JAMB, insisting that the examination body was unnecessary, but allegedly profiteering from candidates.

JAMB: YabaTech Backs Oloyede’s Leadership Style, Urges Others To Take Cue

 The Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech) has declared its total support for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) leadership amidst the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) developments.

Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector of Yabatech, disclosed in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Abdul said that Prof Oloyede’s heartfelt apology and assumption of full responsibility demonstrated commendable leadership and integrity.

“We stand in solidarity with Prof Oloyede, we are with him in the future he beholds for JAMB. We reaffirm our confidence in his visionary leadership and urge other leaders in the country to take a cue from his leadership style,” he stated.

According to him, YabaTech remains committed to supporting JAMB’s initiatives and reforms aimed at enhancing the integrity and efficiency of its examination processes.

The rector noted that the recent technical glitches that affected approximately 379,997 candidates across 157 centres, particularly in Lagos and the South-East states, had understandably caused distress among students and stakeholders.

“As the Rector, and a dedicated advocate for educational excellence in Nigeria, I extend my unwavering support to Prof Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB, and his entire team during this challenging period following the uproar concerning 2025 UTME.

“His commitment to transparency and prompt corrective measures, including the rescheduling of examinations for affected candidates, underscores his dedication to upholding the credibility of our educational assessments.

“This incident serves as a catalyst for all educational stakeholders to collaborate more closely, ensuring robust systems that can withstand unforeseen challenges,” he added.

The rector noted that though the overall performance in the 2025 UTME had raised concerns, it was, however, imperative to recognize the complexities involved in administering large-scale examinations in a technologically evolving environment. (NAN)

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) and its partners on Tuesday donated another four Ambulances Boat to the Bayelsa state government for easy access to healthcare in riverine communities.

Other items donated were one sound proof generator 30kva to the Primary Healthcare Board for smooth running of day to day activities of the board and to facilitate healthcare delivery.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony at the my government jetty Ministry of Transport, Chief of Field UNICEF Nigeria Office, Judith Leveillee said the boat means a lot more than just an ordinary boat, saying it is a means to save lives, to save God giving lives.

According to her, everyone must make sure the boats are used for the purpose of which it is intended and “I want to recognize the hard work of the health workers and the authorities. I believe the event of today coupled with the rain and lightning will inspire us to navigate the creek to take health care to the vulnerable and less privilege”.

“I was excited when I was told that I will be coming to Nigeria eight months ago because Nigeria is a hub and also giant of Africa because there are so many talented people in this country. For me the children of Nigeria deserve the best, Africa deserves the best. But in order to make this happen, we have to make sure they have access to quality health care, quality education, and quality protections. And this can only happen if the communities and the authorities work hands in hand.

“We want to thank our donors, the Global Alliance, for vaccine and Immunization, WHO and all the health workers, we want to thank the government of Bayelsa state, and the authority with which it is leadership. We have made tremendous progress”.

She said from a report available to her, that immunization from four years ago was so low. “But thanks to the engagement of everyone, we have been able to increase the immunization by 300 percent, it’s amazing. It shows that things can change, when we look back, immunization was just about 20 or 30 percent, we don’t want to go back to those days.

“Because we want to make sure if there is a future nobel prize winner from bayelsa, if there’s a future star in bayelsa they need to die because of preventable disease and we don’t want a mother to lose a child or mother to die because of complications. Is on all of us, we are all carrying a responsibility to make it happen “.

Speaking further said, it’s really great that the projects make a change but that the change needs to be sustained. Adding that it needs to be sustained by everyone’s hard work. “In the course of this project, about eight to nine hundred workers have been employed and I believe that the Bayelsa state government will be able to absolve the workforce to continue the achievements.

“It’s for the good of the children, mothers and parents in Bayelsa state. Long life for the project and all the communities and strive for prosperity. We are also handing over a generator to supply electricity to make sure that the boat house is operational. One important thing is to make sure the boats have fuel and are maintained and cared for so that they can last the longest in the future”.

“I want to thank everyone that is involved in these projects and I want to reiterate that UNICEF is committed to supporting the Bayelsa state government in all its efforts to improve the life of children and its citizens. Together we can work to better the health of our people especially in the south south, especially the population of the riverine communities, so that we ensure that no one is left behind”, she said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner of Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe said, as a state they are extremely grateful and extremely appreciative of the partnership that is working.

Brisibe said the GAVE, UNICEF HSS MOU had made a lot of progress, saying the outcome is better because the MOU key into the state government vision of the ASSURED prosperity agenda which the “R” is basically stand for Robust Health care and the vision of the ministry is to see that they increase life expectancy of the citizens and to improve the quality of life.

According to the Health commissioner, he said it is when they work with the vision that will help increase life expectancy and to improve quality of life, saying that when you understand that no child needs to die. “Because if a child dies, it means we have not achieved any life expectancy, also a child must grow up in the best quality of health so that that child can live up to the expectations and aspirations of the parents, society and the community which the child leaves.

“For us in Bayelsa, we should be able to produce children, Men, women that are competitive in all aspects of life. Yes in most cases we have protein but that is not enough to curb malnutrition, we used to have stunted growth, big tummy with tiny legs or big head with tiny legs. You can just imagine it because these are the things that have happened to me before.

“So when we see these types of opportunities, let the child as  is growing up even if not all at this point in time do not pass through the  challenges that we pass through.That they only experience the opportunities to be stronger, brilliant and to grow up to be faster than we did. For us as a ministry it is an opportunity to express ourselves to get that done.

“For us as a state, we believe no mother or child should die of excessive complications. Public Health should not in any way cause any mortality  in our society, that is the fundamental that we work with, and for me and the ministry we are working the talk in collaboration and in support with WHO, UNICEF and every other of our partners. Today marks another milestone because the boats will serve as an emergency to evacuate those children and mothers that needed medical help quickly”.

He thanked UNICEF,GAVI on behalf of the state government for keeping to their word, for improving our health outcomes across all indications, “is it immunization, stunted growth, child mortality, is it strengthening our ability to be resilient to see that we do not lose life to public health emergencies. This partnership has worked”.

He promised the partners that the boats given to the state government will be put to effective and efficient use to save lives, to prevent mortality of the children and mothers and the boats will shorten timeline in an emergency situation.

“I want to assure you that we will maintain it, so that it will be used for the good and prosperity of Bayelsa state “.

In his brief welcome remark, the executive secretary of Bayelsa Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Appah Williams said, six ambulances boats were initially given to the state some time ago by UNICEF,GAVI HSS MOU.

He said even though the MOU has closed, the state is still receiving more and more items from the partners. The HSS MOU has really strengthened the bulk of what the state is doing. “These boats will help us in immunization outreach and other activities. It’s to support healthcare in the state and they also donated to us a 30kva generator to power the primary healthcare board, thanks to UNICEF”.

ReplyForwardAdd reaction