The release of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) 2025 results by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sparked widespread outrage. Over 1.5 million out of 1,955,069 candidates scored below 200 out of 400, leading to massive protests on social media.
Vague Promises Over Concrete Answers
JAMB acknowledged 'unusual complaints' from 'a few states' but failed to provide specifics on the technical problems affecting the UTME 2025 results. Candidates faced issues where questions were not displayed, or their scores drastically dropped compared to previous years. JAMB merely noted an ongoing review with experts, leaving students and parents demanding clarity.
Reactive, Not Proactive, Crisis Management
JAMB's decision to expedite its annual system review indicates a reactive, unprepared approach to the backlash from 2025. Some experts, like Educare CEO Alex Onyia, have called for a class action lawsuit for transparency in scoring. However, JAMB has yet to explain why key technical issues were not addressed before results were released.
Ignoring Stakeholder Voices
While JAMB cites expert involvement in its review, it fails to engage with affected candidates, parents, and educators. Calls for detailed marking sheets went unanswered. Such dismissal only alienates stakeholders and fosters perceptions of arrogance from JAMB.
The challenges surrounding the UTME 2025 results raise significant concerns about JAMB's transparency and accountability. To restore trust, JAMB must implement more transparent processes and engage with all stakeholders, which would help avoid future issues.
