“How Can Tears Resurrect the Dead? Resign Now” — Varsity Don Tells JAMB Registrar Over UTME Mass Failure

A senior lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr. Christian Okeke, has urged the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to resign following the widespread failure in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Okeke described the registrar’s emotional apology as inadequate, insisting that only his resignation and the release of authentic results would serve justice to the affected candidates. He criticised the decision to have some candidates retake the exam, calling it insensitive to their emotional distress and likening the situation to a national mourning. Okeke also condemned JAMB for initially denying responsibility, saying the board only acknowledged its faults after public pressure and threats of legal action. He demanded that JAMB provide psychological support to candidates and hold those responsible accountable, starting with the registrar’s exit.

In response, JAMB admitted fault for technical failures that invalidated results in several exam centres across the country. Prof. Oloyede apologized unreservedly and announced that nearly 380,000 candidates would retake the exam between May 16 and 18. The affected centres span 65 locations in Lagos State and 92 centres in the Owerri Zone, which includes the five South-East states: Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu. Oloyede attributed the problems to negligence by some staff and promised corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. Despite the apology, calls for stronger accountability and reforms within JAMB continue to grow from education stakeholders.