The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has declared that it will conduct a mop-up examination for all candidates who were unable to sit for the 2025 UTME. This opportunity is open to everyone who missed the exam, regardless of the reason—be it an oversight, illness, or any other circumstance.
Missed the UTME? Here’s Your Second Chance
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, announced during a meeting in Abuja that the board will allow students who missed the 2025 UTME another opportunity to take the exam—even if their absence wasn’t due to an official issue.
“This time, we’re giving everyone another shot. If you didn’t write the exam for any reason, you’ll have the chance to retake it,” he said. “It’s a standard practice in well-run systems. When a student misses an exam, they’re given another opportunity—provided the process isn’t taken for granted.”
UTME Is for Ranking, Not Measuring Intelligence
Professor Ishaq Oloyede emphasized that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is not designed to assess how smart candidates are. Instead, it simply serves to allocate the limited number of available admission slots in tertiary institutions.
“It’s a placement test,” he explained. “Its purpose is to determine who gets what spot—not to judge who’s brilliant or not.”
No Bias, No Hidden Agenda
As speculation swirled around the integrity of the exam, Oloyede directly addressed concerns about tribal favoritism and organizational failure.
“I accept the responsibility—not because I caused the problem, but because that’s what leadership means,” he said. “It’s surprising that some people interpret my actions through an ethnic lens. That mindset is part of what slows our progress as a nation.”
Students and JAMB Staff Endured Tough Conditions
Despite the setbacks during the UTME, Oloyede commended candidates and officials for staying resilient under pressure.
“Yes, the situation was challenging,” he admitted. “But we knew that sitting idle would only make things worse for students. So we kept going.”
What’s Next?
JAMB will soon announce new dates for the mop-up examination. The board has reiterated its dedication to transparency and equal opportunity for all candidates.
In the meantime, affected students are encouraged to stay informed and ready. The message is clear: if you missed the original UTME, you’ll be given another chance.
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