JAMB 2025 UTME Technical Error: What Happened and What Affected Candidates Should Do

In May 2025, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) made a rare admission: a technical error had compromised the results of nearly 380,000 candidates who sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Here is a complete breakdown of what happened and what affected candidates need to know.

What Happened

JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced during a press conference in Abuja on May 14, 2025 that results from 157 examination centres were affected by a technical fault. The problem impacted:

• 206,610 candidates across 65 centres in Lagos
• 173,387 candidates across 92 centres in the South-East zone
• Total: 379,997 candidates

What Caused the Error

The board traced the problem to faulty server updates that failed to properly upload candidates' responses during the first three days of the examination. The error went undetected before results were released.

Specifically, JAMB identified two contributing factors:

• A software patch deployed to the Lagos examination zone was not properly applied on some delivery servers
• A new feature introduced in 2025—shuffled answer options—encountered implementation errors during live grading

One of JAMB's two technical service providers was responsible for the oversight.

JAMB's Response

Prof. Oloyede took personal responsibility for the error and issued an apology during the press conference. The board immediately scheduled a resit examination for all affected candidates, starting Friday, May 16, 2025.

Affected candidates were notified via SMS, email, and phone calls and were asked to reprint their examination slips for details on the rescheduled tests.

Resit Examination Results

JAMB released the resit results on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Key statistics from the exercise:

• 336,845 candidates were rescheduled for the examination
• 21,082 candidates (6.3%) were absent
• The examination ran from May 16 and extended beyond May 19

How to Check Your Resit Results

If you were among the affected candidates, you can check your results through two methods:

Method 1: Online Portal

1. Visit the JAMB result checker portal at jamb.gov.ng
2. Log in with your email address and password
3. Click on "Check UTME Result"
4. Enter your JAMB registration number or email
5. Click "Check My Result"

Method 2: SMS

Send "UTMERESULT" to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number you registered with during JAMB registration.

What If You Missed the Resit?

For candidates who missed both the main UTME and the resit, JAMB provided a final opportunity through the annual mop-up examination. The board combined:

• 71,701 candidates who missed the initial UTME
• 21,082 candidates who were absent during the rescheduled UTME
• Total eligible for mop-up: 92,783 candidates

If you fall into this category, check your JAMB profile regularly for mop-up examination dates and ensure your contact details are up to date.

Printing Your Result Slip

You will need a printed result slip during admission screening at your chosen institution. JAMB provides this through the eFacility Portal at a cost of ₦2,000.

To print your slip:

1. Visit efacility.jamb.gov.ng
2. Log in to your profile
3. Select "Print Result Slip"
4. Complete the payment
5. Download and print your slip

Important Warnings

Do Not Recheck Results Unnecessarily

If your results were previously released and you were not directly affected by the technical error, do not recheck your scores unless you receive direct notification from JAMB via SMS, email, or your profile about result withdrawal due to verified infractions.

Fraud Investigations Ongoing

JAMB disclosed that over 3,000 candidates are currently under investigation, with results withdrawn where evidence of malpractice was established. Several CBT centres have been blacklisted for facilitating impersonation and altering biometric data. Proprietors of these centres face prosecution.

Underage Candidates

For candidates flagged as underage during registration, JAMB resolved to release withheld results for those who performed below established standards, except where litigation is involved.

However, these underage UTME results do not qualify candidates for admission. Underage candidates signed an undertaking during registration acknowledging that only those meeting prescribed standards would be considered for special admission.

Key Dates Summary

What This Means for Future Candidates

JAMB's public acknowledgment of the error and swift response to conduct resits demonstrated accountability, but the incident highlights the importance of:

• Keeping your registered phone number and email active throughout the examination period
• Regularly checking your JAMB profile for updates
• Reprinting your examination slip when notified of any changes
• Reporting any suspected irregularities during your examination immediately

If you experience technical issues during your UTME session, report them to invigilators immediately and document the incident where possible.