The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has applauded the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for admitting to its errors in the just concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
NOA in a statement hailed JAMB for what it described as exceptional transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges that followed the recently released results.
Out of the 1.9 million candidates who sat for the exam, more than 1.5 million scored below 200 out of the total 400 marks.
The rate of failure had sparked widespread concern in the education sector.
According to JAMB, 1,955,069 results were processed. Of this figure, only 4,756 candidates (0.24%) scored 320 and above, while 7,658 candidates (0.39%) scored between 300 and 319, bringing the total number of candidates who scored 300 and above to just 12,414 (0.63%).
A further breakdown showed 73,441 candidates (3.76%) scored between 250 and 299, while 334,560 (17.11%) scored between 200 and 249.
The majority 983,187 candidates (50.29%) scored between 160 and 199, which is often considered the minimum threshold for admission in many tertiary institutions.
Additionally, 488,197 (24.97%) scored between 140 and 159; 57,419 (2.94%) scored between 120 and 139; 3,820 (0.20%) scored between 100 and 119; and 2,031 candidates (0.10%) scored below 100.
However following the public outcry and threats of legal actions, JAMB carried out a review of the system, which shows that there were errors that impacted the performance of 379,997 candidates in the five states of the South East and Lagos.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede has since rescheduled for another Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination for the affected candidates.
Reacting to Oloyede’s admittance, NOA in a statement described his open acknowledgement of its lapses as “a rare and commendable act of leadership, one that reflects a deep sense of institutional responsibility.”
The Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in the statement signed by Mr. Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Media and Communication, commended the Registrar of JAMB for demonstrating the kind of integrity and courage that public leadership demands.
“He noted that this act of forthrightness is not only a testament to Professor Oloyede’s personal values but also aligns with the principles of the National Values Charter (NVC), which enjoins all public institutions to operate with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“Mallam Onilu, however, emphasized the need for JAMB to go a step further by initiating remedial measures that directly address the concerns of candidates, parents, and other stakeholders affected by the errors. “While recognition of mistakes is the first step, redemption and restitution are other necessary steps to be taken. Having decided to provide another opportunity to the candidates as a way of redeeming the errors, it is imperative that JAMB considers appropriate compensation to mitigate the stress and anxiety these candidates may have suffered,” he said.
“He stressed that the NOA remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting a governance culture anchored in trust, integrity, and mutual respect between citizens and institutions. “JAMB’s example should serve as a model for other public institutions. When institutions own their mistakes and act to correct them, they earn the respect and confidence of the people,” he stated.
Reflecting on the Citizen Codes under the National Values Charter, the DG reiterated that leadership is a collective responsibility. “Every citizen, whether in public service or private life, has a duty to uphold the core values of integrity, accountability, and transparency. These values are not optional—they are the pillars of a just and equitable society.”
“Mallam Onilu reaffirmed the resolve of the agency to continue its advocacy for responsible leadership and value-driven citizenship. He noted that the Agency’s campaign to entrench the ideals of the National Values Charter across all levels of society will remain a central focus, as Nigeria strives toward a more ethical, inclusive, and responsible governance culture,” the statement further said.
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There were errors in 2025 UTME, JAMB admits
….379,997 to rewrite Examination
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has admitted that there The Board’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where he apologised and took responsibility for all that happened.
“What should have been a moment of joy has changed due to one or two errors,” Oloyede stated.
The UTME remains one of the major instruments for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known in a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said: “206,610 in 65 centres were affected in Lagos and 92 centres in Owerri zone comprising 173,387 candidates in the five states of the South East were affected,” he said.
Oloyede, who took responsibility for what he described as a “sabotage” of the 2025 UTME, said the affected candidates will start getting text messages from the Board starting Thursday.
“The affected candidates will start getting text messages for reschedule starting from tomorrow.
“I apologise, I take full responsibility.”
