JAMB Orders Retake for 379,997 Candidates in Lagos and Southeast Following Technical Errors in 2025 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has admitted technical errors during the 2025 UTME examination and ordered 379,997 candidates across 157 examination centres to retake the exam. The affected candidates are primarily from Lagos State and the five Southeast states.

Breaking News: What Happened

During an emotional press conference on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede announced that nearly 380,000 candidates would need to retake their UTME examinations due to what he described as "a combination of human error and technology failure."

The registrar took full responsibility for the errors and apologized to affected candidates and their families for the disruption and anxiety caused.

How Many Candidates Are Affected?

Total Affected: 379,997 candidates

Geographic Breakdown

Lagos Zone:

• Affected Centres: 65 centres
• Affected Candidates: 206,610 students

Owerri Zone (Southeast):

• Affected Centres: 92 centres
• Affected Candidates: 173,387 students
• States: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo

This represents 157 out of Nigeria's 882 JAMB examination centres - approximately 18% of all centres nationwide.

What Caused the Technical Errors?

According to JAMB's investigation, the problems resulted from:

• Software Deployment Failure: One of JAMB's service providers failed to properly deploy updated grading software
• Human Error: Mistakes during the implementation process compounded the technical issues
• System Integration Problems: The new software didn't integrate correctly with existing examination systems

The errors specifically affected how candidate responses were scored, meaning the original results from these 157 centres couldn't be relied upon for accuracy.

Retake Timeline

Notification Process

JAMB began sending SMS notifications to affected candidates starting Thursday, May 15, 2025. Messages were sent to the phone numbers candidates provided during UTME registration.

Retake Examination Dates

The retake examinations commenced on Friday, May 16, 2025, and will continue over subsequent days to accommodate all 379,997 affected candidates.

What Affected Candidates Must Do NOW

Step 1: Confirm You're Affected

Check if you're among the affected candidates by:

• Checking your registered phone for SMS from JAMB
• Verifying your examination centre was in Lagos or Southeast zones
• Visiting the JAMB portal for official confirmation

Step 2: Reprint Your Examination Slip

This is MANDATORY. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the JAMB examination slip reprinting portal at www.jamb.gov.ng/efacility
2. Select "Reprint UTME Examination Slip"
3. Enter your JAMB registration number
4. Provide your registered email address OR phone number
5. Download and print your NEW examination slip showing the rescheduled date
6. Print at least two copies for safety

Step 3: Verify New Examination Details

Your reprinted slip will show:

• Your new examination date
• Your examination centre (may be the same or different)
• Your reporting time
• Your examination session

Step 4: Prepare for the Retake

• Arrive at your centre at least one hour before your scheduled time
• Bring your reprinted examination slip
• Bring valid identification
• Follow all JAMB examination guidelines

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING

Affected candidates who fail to sit for the retake examination will have their original scores invalidated.

This means:

• Your first result will be cancelled
• You may receive an "absent" mark in JAMB records
• You won't have a valid 2025 UTME score
• You won't be eligible for admission in the 2025/2026 session

If you're affected, you MUST write the retake - there are no exceptions.

For Candidates NOT in Lagos or Southeast

If you wrote your UTME outside Lagos or the Southeast states, your original result stands. You don't need to do anything unless JAMB specifically contacts you.

The technical issues were isolated to specific centres in the Lagos and Owerri zones only.

JAMB's Commitment to Fairness

Professor Oloyede emphasized that JAMB is committed to ensuring:

• All affected candidates get a fair retake under improved conditions
• The rescheduled examinations are free from the technical issues that caused the problem
• No candidate suffers unfairly due to JAMB's system failures
• The integrity of the 2025 UTME is fully restored

The board assembled technical experts to thoroughly test all systems before the retake to prevent any recurrence of the errors.

Questions Affected Candidates Are Asking

Do I need to pay any fees for the retake?

No. The retake is completely free for all affected candidates. JAMB is bearing all costs.

Will the retake questions be different from the first exam?

Yes. You'll receive completely new questions following standard JAMB procedures. The retake follows the same syllabus and difficulty level as the original examination.

What if I can't write on my scheduled retake date?

Contact JAMB immediately through their official channels. However, options for rescheduling individual candidates within the retake period are very limited. Make every effort to write on your assigned date.

What if I was satisfied with my original score?

Unfortunately, all results from the 157 affected centres have been invalidated. Even if you scored well, you must retake the examination. This is necessary to ensure fairness and maintain the examination's integrity.

Will this affect my admission chances?

JAMB has assured that universities and other institutions will be informed about the retake. Your new result will be processed quickly to ensure you can still participate in Post-UTME screening and admissions for the 2025/2026 session.

Contact JAMB for Support

If you have questions or need assistance:

• JAMB Official Website: www.jamb.gov.ng
• JAMB Portal: www.jamb.gov.ng/efacility
• Visit JAMB Offices: Any JAMB state office in your area
• Check Official Updates: Monitor JAMB's official social media accounts

Message to Affected Candidates

While this situation is frustrating and disruptive, remember:

• You're not alone - nearly 380,000 students are in the same situation
• JAMB has taken responsibility and is working to make it right
• The retake gives you a fair chance to demonstrate your abilities
• Your admission prospects for 2025/2026 remain intact

Stay focused, prepare well, and approach the retake with confidence. Many successful students have overcome similar challenges and achieved their educational goals.

Good luck to all affected candidates!