Senate South East Caucus Slams JAMB Over UTME Glitch, Demands Assurance Against Future Failures
The South East Caucus of the Nigerian Senate has issued a stern warning to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following the Board’s recent admission of a technical glitch during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which led to widespread poor performance—particularly in the South East and Lagos.
In a statement on Saturday, 17 May 2025, signed by its Chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the caucus criticised the glitch as “curious and suspicious”, noting that it had deeply shaken public confidence, especially among young candidates from the South East.
“The so-called glitch is enough to erode confidence and dangerously lower national pride among the future generation,” the statement read. “That it occurred in the entire South East raises pertinent questions JAMB must answer to ease rising frustrations and fears.”
The lawmakers stopped short of alleging deliberate sabotage but cautioned against “injecting hateful politics and parochial considerations” into national education policy.
They emphasised that education is too vital a pillar of societal progress to be compromised.
While commending the JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, for his openness in accepting responsibility, the caucus called for firm guarantees to ensure such a failure is never repeated.
They warned that any perceived regional bias could further strain national unity.
“We must pursue a Nigerian agenda, not a narrow one that injures cohesion. Every child deserves quality education without prejudice,” Abaribe said.
The Senate group concluded with a strong call for accountability, urging national education stakeholders to uphold fairness and integrity in all examinations.
