The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to resign and allow a through investigation into the massive failure in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The call was contained in a statement signed by the Caucus Leader, Rep.Igariwey Iduma Enwo, on Monday.
The Caucus stated that, its members were concerned because the five South Eastern states where they represent were directly impacted by JAMB’s “score distortions”.
The lawmakers further stated that, while they appreciate the fact that instead of concealing or obfuscating, Professor Oloyede came out to admit JAMB’s failure, they stated that what JAMB offered in remediation falls far short of the expectations of “our impacted constituents”.
According to the Caucus, JAMB’s kneejerk and fire brigade approach had been anything but sufficient, nor desirable adding that, traumatised students in the South Eastern states, many of whom were still taking WAEC examinations, have been invited in less than 48 hours notice, to present themselves to retake the rescheduled UTME examination.
The lawmakers added, “Reports indicate that the notice was far too short for most of the students, resulting in low turn out; and in some cases, the rescheduled date has clashed with on-going WAEC examination papers. The outcome has been heart wrenching for students and parents, and agonizingly shambolic, to say the very least.
“We need not remind Nigerians that JAMB, as an Agency of Government, is expected to uphold the fundamental obligations of government to its citizens.
“Indeed, the framers of our constitution, in recognition of the pivotal primacy of education to our national development, clearly stated in section 18(1) of the 1999 constitution, that “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels”.
“This principle has, by recent judicial pronouncements, assumed the status of an enforceable right to every Nigerian child. However, for the thousands of students across the five South Eastern states of Nigeria, the tainted and flawed outcome of the 2025 UTME examination has clearly stripped and denied them of any “equal and adequate educational opportunities.
“As a result of the above reasons and many more, we call for a total cancellation of the 2025 UTME examinations, and a new date fixed for same across the country. Indeed, only yesterday, the Association of Tutorial School Operators advised that, “The UTME should be moved to July/August, after the completion of WAEC and NECO examinations, to ensure that no prospective candidate is disadvantaged”. We consider this a very brilliant and compelling advice.
“Finally, it is obvious that apologies, platitudes and public relations campaigns, are not enough in addressing the far-reaching and gargantuan implications of the national embarrassment that attended JAMB’s conduct of the 2025 UTME examination.
“To this end, we call for the immediate suspension of those at the commanding heights of JAMB’s digital operations and examination logistics. The Registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but then, leadership must carry consequences.
“We, therefore, call on the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to do the needful, by resigning his appointment, to pave way for a thorough examination and remediation of the root causes of this national shame. That’s the way to go in any civilised democracy, and we expect no less”.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, had at a Press briefing on Sunday called for thorough investigation into what led to the technical glitch which resulted in the massive failure of candidates, especially in Lagos and the South East. (Daily trust)
