The House of Representatives has issued a public apology to Nigerians following the widespread failure recorded in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The apology was delivered by Hon. Oforji Oboku, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies, during a press conference at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Expressing deep regret, Oboku extended the committee’s sympathies to candidates affected by errors during the examination, describing the incident as unprecedented in JAMB’s history. “We are all aware of the unfortunate situation that our children faced during the UTME/JAMB exams, a situation that has never occurred before in the history of JAMB,” he stated. On behalf of JAMB, he sincerely apologized to the nation, acknowledging the distress caused to candidates, parents, and the public.
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Oboku commended the courage and transparency of JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who accepted responsibility for the errors and issued an apology to stakeholders. However, the committee chairman emphasized that the errors, attributed to negligence by JAMB, were avoidable. He stressed the need for accountability, noting that the nation’s educational system, a critical pillar of Nigeria’s future, cannot afford further setbacks.
To address the issue, Oboku called for an independent and thorough investigation into the causes of the mass failure. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the committee to collaborate with JAMB on reforms aimed at setting high standards of expertise across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These reforms include enhanced monitoring of the UTME to prevent similar incidents in the future. “The movement toward accountability is not in the future; it is now,” Oboku declared, underscoring the urgency of safeguarding the integrity of the country’s examination processes.
The House of Representatives reiterated its commitment to supporting affected candidates and ensuring that such failures do not recur, emphasizing the importance of a robust and reliable educational system for Nigeria’s progress.
