The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially announced a special mop-up examination to accommodate candidates who missed the just-concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This decision aims to ensure fairness and provide a second chance for the over 5.6% of registered candidates who could not take part in the main exam.
This update was disclosed by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.
“This time, we are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier exam due to absence will get another opportunity,” he stated.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized that the initiative is not out of the ordinary, noting that many functional educational systems offer make-up opportunities for missed exams—as long as the process isn’t abused.
UTME Is a Placement Tool, Not an Intelligence Test
In his remarks, Oloyede clarified a common misconception about the UTME.
“The UTME is a placement test, not a measure of intelligence or academic potential. Its purpose is to rank candidates for limited admission slots, not to test how smart someone is.”
He also addressed ongoing criticism and conspiracy theories surrounding the conduct of the UTME, especially accusations of ethnic bias or administrative incompetence.
“I take responsibility, not because I failed, but because that’s leadership,” he said.
“We must rise above ethnic profiling. I didn’t even realise people viewed issues around me through such lenses.”
Praise for Candidates and Staff
Despite the challenges faced during the conduct of the 2025 UTME—especially space constraints and logistical issues—Professor Oloyede commended both the candidates and JAMB staff for their resilience.
“We had limited space. We knew if we wasted more time grieving the challenges, students would lose their opportunity.”
When Is the Mop-Up Exam?
JAMB noted that the date for the special mop-up examination will be announced soon. All affected candidates—regardless of the reason for missing the original exam—will be eligible to participate.
What You Should Do Next
If you missed the 2025 UTME for any reason:
- Stay glued to the official JAMB website and verified educational platforms like Campusflash Consults Ltd. for updates.
- Ensure your contact details (especially email and phone number) linked to your JAMB profile are active.
- Prepare adequately—the mop-up exam is your golden second chance!
Stay informed. Stay prepared. Follow Campusflash Consults Ltd for all the latest updates on JAMB, admissions, and academic success tips.
