A South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has slammed the Management of the Joint Admission And Matriculation Board, (JAMB) over shoddy handling of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, ( UTME), saying they are not fit to occupy the offices they are holding.
Ajadi issued his verdict after multiple news platforms reported the situation of a candidate who scored 150 in the Joint Matriculation examinations, but days after the examination, he checked again and found out that his mark had been reduced to 120.
Also, at Odogunyan in Ikorodu Area of Lagos State, one Faith Opesusi, 19 years, killed herself with poison after she found out that she got 146 out of 400 points.
Her father revealed that Faith could not understand the reason having read day and night.
“She had a high score in 2024 UTME. This year, she was given 146. The pain of it drove her to commit suicide,” Mr. Opesusi stated.
However, on Wednesday, JAMB acknowledged discrepancies in the results of some candidates who took the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, addressed the findings, apologizing for the errors and taking full responsibility.
He announced that candidates from 157 out of 882 examination centers would be given a chance to retake the test, with the rescheduled exams starting on Friday, 16 May 2025.
Ajadi in a statement on Friday condemned the shoddy conduct of the examination which is the only avenue for millions of students to enter Universities, Polytechnics and the Colleges of Education.
Ajadi said the excuse by the JAMB Registrar and his apology cannot save Faith and students whose future are being destroyed.
He added that the rescheduled exam for the affected students within a short time is not the best way for students to prepare for examination.
He called on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education to institute a probe of the JAMB activities which led to the recent embarrassment, adding that those found culpable should be punished.
According to the statement, “The recent admission of errors by JAMB in the conduct of this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, ( UTME) is an embarrassment to the nation. JAMB has through its inefficiency caused sorrow for families.
“I am deeply pained by the loss of Faith. It is a terrible feeling to lose a child. I hereby urge the Opesusi family to stand strong and not lose faith in God who is able to restore all that is lost. I also pray that the Almighty God grant them the fortitude to bear this painful loss.
“While I sympathise with the families who lost their loved ones and those whose children’s future have been trampled upon, I called on government to get to the root of the matter. Government should also consider a means of decentralize the Matriculation Examination in the country as it seems that JAMB is overburdened. The resit examination should not be rushed. JAMB should give more time to avoid similar mistakes.”
In addition, the 2023 governorship candidate of NNPP made recommendations that could help JAMB authorities to achieve an examination with the highest level of integrity and transparency.
Ajadi said: “To achieve this, I urge JAMB to consider the following recommendations:
“1: Timing: After a massive error that occurred, there is no need to rush. JAMB must take enough time to be able to conduct a credible examination.”
“2. Transparent Examination Process: Ensure that the examination process is transparent, with clear instructions, fair marking schemes, and prompt release of results.
“3. Adequate Infrastructure: Provide adequate infrastructure, including sufficient seating, lighting, and ventilation, to ensure that students can take the examination in a conducive environment.
“4. Trained Invigilators: Ensure that invigilators are properly trained to prevent examination malpractice and provide clear instructions to students.
“5. Independent Monitoring: Consider engaging independent monitors to oversee the examination process and provide an objective assessment of the conduct of the examination.”
In conclusion, Ajadi reiterated that JAMB must take all necessary measures to ensure that the upcoming UTME retake is conducted with integrity, transparency, and fairness.
He said: “By doing so, JAMB can restore the confidence of students and stakeholders in the examination process and ensure that the academic future of our students is protected.”
