JAMB to conduct mop-up exam for candidates who missed 2025 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a mop-up examination for candidates who missed the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The decision was revealed on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, where the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, addressed the challenges encountered during the 2025 UTME and the board’s plan to give all affected candidates a second chance.

According to Prof. Oloyede, approximately 5.6 percent of registered candidates were unable to take the exam for various reasons. He stated that unlike in previous years when mop-up exams were limited to those with technical or administrative issues, this year’s makeup exam would cover a broader range of candidates — including those who were absent for any reason.

“This year, we’ve decided to widen the scope. We will accommodate everyone who missed the examination, regardless of the circumstances,” Oloyede said, noting that the board is committed to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in the admission process.

The registrar acknowledged that releasing the UTME results came with emotional pressure but emphasized that the challenges were not due to incompetence or bias.

He urged Nigerians to avoid linking examination concerns to ethnicity or conspiracies, stressing that JAMB is focused on resolving identified issues and improving the process.

“We are not failing. Most candidates were able to sit for the exam, and we took swift action where problems arose. Limited access to mega CBT centres created some delays, but we responded quickly to prevent further disruptions,” he explained.

Addressing public criticism, Oloyede clarified that the UTME is not a test of intelligence but a placement examination designed to allocate candidates into available spaces in tertiary institutions.

“UTME scores alone do not determine admission. Institutions also consider post-UTME assessments, school grades, and other criteria,” he added.

JAMB is expected to release further details, including the date and modalities for the mop-up exam, in the coming days. The board urged candidates to stay informed through official communication channels.