UTME glitches: Reps demands JAMB registrar’s resignation

The South East Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for the immediate resignation of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, over what it described as a “catastrophic and institutional failure” in the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement issued on Monday by the leader of the caucus, Hon. Igariwey Enwo, the lawmakers decried the widespread technical glitches that marred this year’s UTME, reportedly affecting nearly 380,000 candidates. The caucus condemned the lapses, saying the situation has created chaos and heartbreak for students and their parents across the country, particularly in the South East.

The caucus insisted that Prof. Oloyede’s resignation was necessary to pave the way for a comprehensive and independent review of the failures that have rocked JAMB’s integrity. It also demanded the suspension of key officials overseeing JAMB’s digital infrastructure and logistics, citing poor coordination and mismanagement.

“Over the past week, we have exercised restraint, hoping JAMB would roll out effective remedial measures to address what is clearly a colossal institutional breakdown,” the caucus said. “Instead, we have seen an underwhelming response that has only deepened the frustration of affected families.”

While commending Prof. Oloyede for publicly admitting the failure, the lawmakers said the steps taken so far were grossly inadequate. They criticized the board’s poor communication and its decision to give affected candidates less than 48 hours’ notice to retake the exam — a move that clashed with the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) and resulted in poor turnout.

“Students in the South East, many of whom are sitting for WAEC, were left confused and overwhelmed,” the statement read. “The poor timing and disorganized communication reflect a lack of consideration for the mental and emotional well-being of these young Nigerians.”

As part of its demands, the caucus called for the cancellation of the 2025 UTME and the announcement of a new date — preferably after WAEC and NECO — to ensure that students are not placed at a disadvantage due to overlapping schedules and unplanned disruptions.

They concluded by emphasizing the need for accountability beyond apologies: “The resignation of the Registrar is a necessary first step to restoring public trust in JAMB. Our students deserve a credible, transparent, and well-coordinated examination process.”

The caucus represents the five South East states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.