The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed it will conduct a fresh round of mop-up examinations for students who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).*
Announcing the development at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja on Wednesday, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said the new arrangement would benefit over 5.6 per cent of candidates who, for various reasons, were unable to sit the exam earlier in the year.
“This is a deliberate effort to ensure no candidate is unfairly denied the opportunity to participate,” Professor Oloyede stated. “It is standard practice in serious educational systems to offer a chance for students to make up for missed assessments—so long as the process is not abused.”
He clarified that the UTME is not intended as an intelligence test but rather a tool for ranking applicants to fill the limited number of spaces available in Nigerian tertiary institutions. “It is a placement exam, not a measure of brilliance,” he explained.
Responding to public concerns over the conduct of the exams, Oloyede rejected allegations of mismanagement or ethnic bias. “Leadership means accepting responsibility—even in the face of unfounded criticism,” he said. “We must move beyond divisive sentiments.”
He acknowledged the efforts of both candidates and examination officials, particularly in navigating logistical hurdles posed by a shortage of testing centres. “Rather than dwell on the difficulties, we focused on preserving students’ chances,” he added.
JAMB said the specific date for the rescheduled mop-up exam will be made public in due course. The board reaffirmed its dedication to equity, integrity, and ensuring every candidate is given a fair shot at higher education.
