Public Outcry as JAMB Boss Cries on National TV Over Technical Glitches
Nigerians across social media and civil society are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, following revelations that the mass failure in the 2025 UTME examination was caused by outdated software. The registrar, in an emotional appearance on national television, admitted to technical errors, prompting widespread anger, particularly from affected candidates and education stakeholders.
Over 379,000 UTME Results Affected by Software Glitch
TJ News Nigeria reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) disclosed that 379,997 candidates would resit the 2025 UTME after a server configuration failure caused answer mismatches and invalidated their results.
According to Prof. Oloyede, the software patch meant for all exam centres was only deployed to the Kaduna cluster, leaving other zones—especially Lagos and the South-East—vulnerable to serious technical errors.
“We take full responsibility for this unfortunate failure. It was a devastating mistake involving our technical infrastructure,” Oloyede said in tears during a press briefing in Abuja.
Social Media Reactions: “Educational Sabotage”
The backlash on X (formerly Twitter) has been swift and fierce. Nigerian activist Rinu Oduala described the situation as “educational sabotage,” questioning the impartiality of the failure pattern that affected all five South-East states and Lagos.
“The JAMB registrar is crying on national TV after deliberately failing students across the South-East and Lagos? This isn’t just incompetence. It’s sabotage. He should be arrested immediately,” Oduala wrote.
The trending hashtag #ArrestOloyedeNow gained traction within hours, with thousands echoing calls for accountability.
Other users on X wrote:
- “JAMB has destroyed the dreams of nearly 400,000 students. This must not go unpunished.”
- “Crying on TV does not equal justice. The registrar must face the law.”
Demands for Legal Action Intensify
Legal experts and civil society organizations have weighed in, asserting that the JAMB registrar could face charges for gross negligence and violation of digital infrastructure standards. There are growing calls for:
- EFCC investigation into the failure
- A full National Assembly probe
- Compensation to affected candidates and families
According to education advocates, the 2025 UTME failure constitutes a breach of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and may qualify as an offence under the Criminal Code Act for endangering public trust.
Students and Parents Bear the Brunt
Candidates whose results were affected are now being forced to resit the exam starting Thursday, May 16, 2025. Many have decried the additional financial, psychological, and logistical burden placed on them due to JAMB’s failure.
Parent-teacher associations have requested that JAMB publish a comprehensive list of affected students and provide free resit arrangements for fairness and transparency.
“This is not just a software glitch—it’s a systemic failure that has deeply affected the academic trajectory of our youth,” said a parent in Lagos.
Key Facts at a Glance:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Cause of Mass Failure | Outdated software not updated in all server clusters |
| Affected Candidates | 379,997 |
| States Most Affected | Lagos and South-East states |
| Next Action | Resit begins May 16, 2025 |
| Public Demand | Arrest and prosecution of JAMB Registrar |
| JAMB’s Position | Admitted fault; issued apology |
Will Prof. Oloyede Be Prosecuted?
Despite the tears and public apology, Nigerians are demanding more than emotion—they want accountability and reform. Many argue that without strong punitive measures, such critical national examinations will continue to face threats that endanger the future of Nigerian youths.
The National Assembly’s Education Committee has hinted at launching a full-scale investigation into JAMB’s operations in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
The 2025 UTME mass failure has exposed critical vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s educational assessment systems. As public outrage grows, all eyes are now on the federal government and anti-corruption agencies to respond decisively.
Prof. Oloyede’s future remains uncertain—but what is clear is that millions of Nigerians are demanding justice, reform, and accountability in one of the country’s most pivotal institutions.
