By Muhyideen Jimoh

The leadership of some faith-based organisations have called for a transparent investigation into the technical glitch that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The call, led by the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) and Dominion Chapel International Church (DCIC), followed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) admission that a technical error had affected some candidates’ results.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that JAMB confirmed that a technical fault had impacted the results of over 370,000 candidates across 157 centres in Lagos and the South-East.

This admission came after a review of the results by stakeholders invited by the Board, following widespread concerns about unusually low scores.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, apologised for the unfortunate incident and announced that affected candidates would be given the opportunity to retake the examination starting from Friday.

NAN reports that over 1.9 million candidates sat the 2025 UTME, of which 1.5 million, representing 78 per cent scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks.

Speaking at an interfaith press conference on Friday in Abuja, Sheikh Fuad Adeyemi, National Chief Imam of AIS, and Archbishop John Praise Daniel, Presiding Bishop of DCIC, commended Oloyede for his transparency and leadership.

Adeyemi emphasised the need for an urgent and open investigation into the system failure.

“While we unequivocally stand with the JAMB Registrar at this moment, we respectfully urge that the entire process leading to the system glitch be subjected to a thorough and transparent investigation.

“Any individual or group found culpable should be appropriately sanctioned.

“We believe this crucial step will not only restore public confidence in JAMB’s processes but also serve as a deterrent against future negligence or sabotage,” he said.

In his remarks, Archbishop Daniel appealed for calm among affected candidates and their parents, urging them to approach the resit with renewed determination.

He also noted the need to take candidates’ mental health more seriously, calling on parents to be more closely involved in supporting their wards.

“Our hearts go out to all the parents and candidates affected by the recent JAMB system glitch.

“We understand how distressing this must have been after months of preparation and anticipation.

“Please know that you are not alone in this moment. Your resilience is deeply admired. Thankfully, JAMB has provided a second opportunity to retake the exam,” he said.

Both leaders praised Oloyede for his visionary leadership and the transformative reforms implemented since his appointment in 2016.

They noted that his decision to acknowledge the error, apologise, and offer remedial measures demonstrated commendable accountability.

“We call on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to publicise the actions of the JAMB Registrar as a model for other public officials to emulate,” they stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade