The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a set of revised guidelines for candidates scheduled to retake the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), following a series of technical issues that disrupted the original conduct of the examination in select centers.
According to a statement released by the examination body, a total of 379,997 candidates who sat for the UTME in 157 centers—primarily located in Lagos and parts of the South-East—were affected by glitches that rendered their results invalid. As a corrective measure, JAMB has rescheduled fresh examinations for these candidates, which are to be held between Friday, May 16 and Sunday, May 18, 2025.
To ensure a smooth and transparent process, the board has rolled out a structured complaint and support system via its official website, www.jamb.gov.ng. Candidates facing challenges such as issues printing their slips, incorrect exam centers, or conflicting exam times are advised to access the ‘Ticketing/Support’ option under the ‘Quicklinks’ tab. From there, they can lodge complaints under the “Exam Rewrite” category for swift resolution.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, who acknowledged the unfortunate disruption, assured candidates and their families that the board is working diligently to prevent a recurrence of such issues. He reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and excellence in the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria.
The board has also coordinated with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to avoid clashes between the rescheduled UTME dates and the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This is particularly relevant for students who are sitting both exams simultaneously. In instances where a timetable conflict occurs—especially with subjects like Agricultural Science—candidates will be duly rescheduled to ensure they are not disadvantaged.
Furthermore, JAMB reiterated that biometric verification remains the only approved method of admitting candidates into examination halls. The use of calculators, smartwatches, mobile phones, or any electronic devices is strictly prohibited. Candidates are only permitted to carry their reprinted e-registration slips into the hall, as any breach of examination rules will result in disqualification.
Affected candidates have been notified of their new examination dates via SMS, and are required to reprint their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm details such as venue and time.
JAMB urges all candidates to comply with the guidelines and prepare accordingly, noting that the integrity of the UTME remains a top priority. The board also encouraged affected individuals to promptly seek clarification or lodge complaints through official communication channels to avoid misinformation or panic.
This development comes as the board continues efforts to refine its examination processes, ensuring a more efficient and equitable testing environment for millions of Nigerian students seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
