Trying moment for JAMB: Authority’s ordeal forces board to take hard decision

...Fresh exam for over 300,000 challenging, not cheap

The decision by the management of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to organise fresh examination for over 300,000 candidates affected by tech glitches during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) did not come easy.

The rescheduled examination will definitely cost the board a huge sum of money. The acceptance of the errors by Ishaq Oloyede, egistrar of JAMB, is indeed a brave step to repositioning governance in Nigeria, a country where those in authority do not accept responsibilities for wrongs done to the citizens.

Besides, it is a welcome development that JAMB has decided to right the wrongs done to candidates affected by the glitches. However, those behind the error must be brought to book as part of measures at ensuring such does not repeat itself.

Chikaodi Umeh, one of the candidates who sat the 2025 UTME, though happy the examination is rescheduled, however, expressed worries about the concomitant implications.

“I came from Benin to sit the examination in Lagos, because when I registered, I was living with my aunt in Lagos. Now, for me, to re-sit the exam, I’ll have to begin to source for another fares, and that on its own is a distraction,” she noted.

Read also: 5 big fixes JAMB is making after 2025 UTME chaos

Obviously, the rescheduled examination will disrupt students’ planned study schedules and potentially clash with other commitments.

Even parents who took time off work to accompany their children to the first examination might need to do so again, leading to further inconvenience and potential financial implications.

Gift Osikoya, a teacher and parent, expressed fears that the rescheduled examination would amount to extra burden to both students and parents as candidates who have already travelled to their initial examination centres, will be making additional trip.

“This translates to extra transportation costs, and this could be a significant financial burden for some families, especially those with limited resources.

“Besides, experiencing a technical glitch during a crucial exam like JAMB, is already a source of considerable stress and anxiety. Having to then prepare for a retake will undoubtedly amplify this emotional toll,” she stressed.

Osikoya also disclosed that students might feel frustrated, demoralised, and even lose confidence in their ability to perform well the second time around.

“The uncertainty surrounding the rescheduling process itself can also contribute to this stress. The emotional and logistical challenges stemming from the rescheduled exam can directly impact a student’s ability to focus and concentrate on their studies.

“The lingering anxiety, the need to rearrange schedules, and the financial strain can all be significant distractions. It becomes harder to settle back into a productive study routine when these other factors are weighing on their minds,” Osikoya said.

Mercy Nnokam, a school owner, described the decision to reschedule the examination as coming with mixed feelings, as according to her, “to some it is good news, while to majority, it is the opposite.”

Nnokam further said: “Locating new examination centres especially those of other local government areas would be a whole lot of stress with much money on transportation, hotels and feeding.

“A lot of these students are not happy because this is the second or third attempt and possibly, they were sure they did well- then this development. Getting to settle and study again would definitely reduce level of concentration and interest.”

She further said that the anxiety created by the unhealthy situation might affect some of the students billed to re-sit the examination because of the short time left to prepare for it.

“There is this fear that results might be manipulated to favour those who have the resources against those who were actually affected. Many students are scared of sitting for the repeat examination,” she noted.

Itive Evi, a civil servant, said, “It’s painful because if I am correct, this is not the first time. It’s been happening over many years.

“If that is true, what happened to those who, as a result, may have given up the desire to go to university?”

For the candidates that have been given opportunities to rewrite the examination, he encouraged them to wake up and take advantage of “this mercy of God.”

“Determine that this is your chance and you will make it if you’re not lazy,” he counseled.

Mudi Nwachukwu, founder of SENTE Nigeria, said that retaking an examination is usually a stressful experience but it is alleviated by the hope of the student to do better the second time around.

“Where the re-sit is caused by external factors, the impact on the candidates particularly those with additional needs could be devastating.

Read also: The JAMB Registrar wept and people clapped: 2025 UTME results, controversies and way forward

“Where retaking the exam is unavoidable, it would be prudent to take these mitigating circumstances into consideration and provide some sort of safety net for the affected candidates,” she noted.

Stakeholders also advocate that JAMB should consider providing stipends to reduce travel costs, and also offer counseling or encouragement to boost candidates’ mental well-being.

The decision to reschedule the examination, they say, is commendable, and ensures fairness for affected students.

However, many maintain that it is crucial to address the root cause of the challenges. These challenges, they emphasised, highlight the need for better infrastructure and support systems.