Nigeria's 2025 examination season has been significantly disrupted by crises within two major examination bodies, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). These bodies faced severe criticism following technical failures during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and logistical issues with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), prompting widespread calls for accountability and reform.

The 2025 UTME results, released on May 9, revealed that over 78 percent of candidates scored less than 200 out of a maximum of 400 points. Following the release, JAMB acknowledged a "major technical error." Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, subsequently announced that discrepancies linked to faulty server updates had affected the results of 379,997 candidates. These candidates were primarily from 157 examination centres located in the Lagos and South-East (Owerri) zones.

In response to these issues, JAMB rescheduled the UTME for the affected candidates, with the new exams held on May 16 and 17, giving candidates only 48 hours' notice from the time the glitch was publicly announced. Professor Oloyede admitted to the glitches and expressed remorse, stating there was no intention to cause the issues. He explained that the problem was caused by one of the two technical service providers for the exercise and went undetected before the initial results were released.

The situation sparked varied reactions. Members of the House of Representatives from the South-East, a region significantly impacted by the glitches, demanded Professor Oloyede's resignation. However, Oladotun Hassan, President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, condemned these calls. Hassan argued that technical glitches are common in large organizations and that Oloyede's remorse should be considered. He emphasized the severe negative consequences for students and families, suggesting that the focus should be on a comprehensive review of Nigeria's examination system rather than demanding the registrar's dismissal.

Olajumoke Shaqiru Victor, a political analyst, offered a more nuanced perspective. While commending Professor Oloyede for his transparency in admitting the errors, Victor stressed that accountability is paramount in public service. He noted that if investigations reveal administrative lapses or systemic failures, the Registrar must take full responsibility, which could include stepping aside. Victor called for a proper investigation into the technical glitches.

Adding to the examination woes, candidates for the WASSCE faced significant disruptions. There was widespread confusion as the English Language paper, scheduled for 9 am, was delayed for hours at multiple locations, with some tests reportedly not commencing until much later in the day, even as late as 11:45 pm. Reports indicated that the paper had leaked online, compelling WAEC to replace it at the last minute. The House of Representatives is currently probing both the JAMB and WAEC incidents.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) issued a strong statement on the matter, urging the National Assembly to ensure that officials responsible for the fiascos in both the UTME and WASSCE are held accountable. The NBA, in a statement signed by its president Afam Osigwe and secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, expressed concern over what it termed a "new trend of impunity" emerging from institutions vital for Nigeria's educational future.

The NBA emphasized that the right to education is a constitutional right and that students deserve to be treated with dignity. It deemed the conduct of examinations under "shambolic and inclement conditions" unacceptable, noting that such circumstances, including exams conducted at night without adequate facilities like power and security, breach students' contractual and constitutional rights. The association stated that both JAMB and WAEC had "failed" in their responsibilities, damaging the country's image.

Consequently, the NBA called on the Senate and House of Representatives to establish a joint committee to thoroughly investigate these incidents and ensure that those responsible face appropriate consequences. The association warned that an absence of accountability would likely lead to worse recurrences in the future.

Beyond immediate accountability, there were broader calls for systemic reforms in Nigeria's education sector. Oladotun Hassan, also a legal practitioner, reiterated his call for the Federal Government to review the entire admission process to make it easier for Nigerians. He proposed merging WAEC and NECO and suggested that the UTME should no longer be a yearly exercise for admission seekers, ideas that reflect a growing demand for a comprehensive overhaul of the country's examination and admission systems.