UTME: Again, JAMB To Hold Mop-up Exams For Absent Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to conduct another mop-up examination for candidates who missed the recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This announcement was made by JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oloyede acknowledged the emotional distress faced by candidates and stakeholders over the UTME results but clarified that the challenges were not a sign of institutional failure. He emphasized JAMB’s commitment to resolving any issues affecting the examination process and strongly rejected claims of administrative incompetence or ethnic bias.

“I want to say this clearly… I did not throw anyone under the bus. There is no conspiracy here; something went wrong, and we are working to fix it,” said Oloyede. He further urged stakeholders to avoid ethnic profiling in education, stating that many of the criticisms surrounding JAMB stem from misinformation and ignorance.

In response to the 5.6% of candidates who missed their exams, Oloyede confirmed that JAMB would be offering a mop-up exam for all affected candidates, regardless of the reasons for their absence. The mop-up examination is designed to provide a second opportunity for those who could not participate in the main exam.

“This is not an extraordinary step. Just like in classrooms, when students miss an exam for any reason, we are offering a chance to make up for it,” he added.

Oloyede also criticized the widespread misunderstanding of the UTME’s purpose, clarifying that the exam is a placement test, not an intelligence or achievement test. The UTME ranks candidates for available spaces in tertiary institutions, with other assessments, such as post-UTME scores and school performance, playing a role in the final admission decision.

JAMB’s mop-up examination will offer those who missed the original exam a chance to take part in the selection process, ensuring they are not deprived of their educational opportunities due to unforeseen circumstances.