The Association of Tutorial School Operators has raised concerns over the recurring system failures experienced during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, attributing the glitches to fundamental weaknesses in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s ICT infrastructure.

Speaking in a press statement on Saturday, which addresses developments surrounding UTME 2025, ATSO President, Mr Oludotun Sodunke, called for a comprehensive appraisal of JAMB’s technological systems and operational architecture.

“The recurrence of system failures and glitches suggests fundamental ICT infrastructure weaknesses that require comprehensive addressing.

“There might be a need for a total appraisal of the whole infrastructural architecture of JAMB going forward, including relationships with service providers, who coincidentally are major partakers in the error/glitch issue,” Sodunke stated.

In the statement titled ‘Commending JAMB’s Transparency, Addressing Systemic UTME Flaws, and Advocating for Sustainable Reforms’, Sodunke praised JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for openly admitting the recent marking error during the UTME and for acting swiftly to resolve the matter.

However, he emphasised that more fundamental reforms were urgently needed.

One of the major issues raised by ATSO was the ill-timed scheduling of the UTME.

The association criticised the current practice of examinations in the first quarter of the year, before many students have completed the WAEC and NECO syllabi.

“As an entrance examination, UTME should logically follow secondary school leaving examinations to allow for proper preparation.

“Most tertiary institutions commence admissions in September or October, so there is sufficient time for JAMB to conduct the UTME and release thoroughly vetted results in July or August,” Sodunke argued.

ATSO also condemned what it described as a “fire brigade approach” to the rescheduling of exams for affected candidates.

Of particular concern was the recent clash between the rescheduled UTME and WAEC’s Agricultural Science paper on May 16, which the group said demonstrated poor coordination between examination bodies.

The association further criticised JAMB for allegedly excluding key stakeholders from its decision-making processes.

Sodunke noted that despite multiple offers from ATSO to provide technical and strategic support based on its frontline experience, the association’s input had been largely ignored.

“Sustainable solutions require inclusive engagement with all education stakeholders. JAMB can no longer afford to rebuff constructive contributions and criticisms from well-meaning stakeholders in the education sector,” Sodunke stated.

To address the challenges plaguing the UTME process, ATSO proposed a series of concrete reforms.

“The UTME should be moved to July/August, after the completion of WAEC and NECO exams, to ensure that candidates are adequately prepared.

“JAMB should commission independent IT experts to conduct a full stress test of its infrastructure. New systems should be designed around the practical needs of candidates and the realities of the examination environment. Stakeholder collaboration; a standing committee including representatives from JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and ATSO should be established to harmonise examination schedules and policies.

“JAMB should prioritise candidate welfare, including addressing the hardship and security risks posed by requiring candidates to arrive at exam centres as early as 6am.

“An annual review of examination processes with stakeholder input should be institutionalised, allowing for consistent improvement based on real-world feedback. ATSO offered to share its annual review reports with JAMB and other exam bodies,” the statement read.

Also, ATSO reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and reform, while urging JAMB to embrace transparency and collaboration for the benefit of Nigerian students and the broader education sector.

“We commend Professor Oloyede for his courage and transparency in admitting errors. But going forward, there must be a clear path towards sustainable reform. The future of our students depends on it,” Sodunke concluded.