The Association of Tutorial School Operators (ATSO) has raised fresh concerns over persistent system failures during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), attributing the glitches to underlying weaknesses in the ICT infrastructure of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a statement issued on Saturday addressing key issues around the 2025 UTME, ATSO President, Mr. Oludotun Sodunke, called for a total overhaul of JAMB’s technological systems and operational framework. “The recurrence of system failures and glitches suggests fundamental ICT infrastructure weaknesses that require comprehensive addressing,” he stated. Sodunke further suggested a full appraisal of JAMB’s operational architecture and its relationship with service providers.
The statement, titled ‘Commending JAMB’s Transparency, Addressing Systemic UTME Flaws, and Advocating for Sustainable Reforms’, commended JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for publicly acknowledging and swiftly correcting a recent UTME marking error. Still, Sodunke stressed that mere corrective actions were not enough and emphasized the urgent need for lasting reforms.
A major concern highlighted by ATSO was the premature scheduling of the UTME, which currently takes place before many students have completed the WAEC and NECO syllabi. Sodunke argued that the exam should be held later in the year: “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.”
ATSO also criticised JAMB’s poor coordination in rescheduling exams for affected candidates. The association cited a recent clash between the UTME and WAEC’s Agricultural Science paper on May 16 as an example of avoidable conflict caused by lack of planning.
Further, the group expressed disappointment over being excluded from JAMB’s decision-making processes, despite repeated offers to provide technical and strategic support. “Sustainable solutions require inclusive engagement with all education stakeholders,” Sodunke noted, urging JAMB to welcome constructive input from credible groups like ATSO.
In its reform proposal, ATSO recommended:
1. Rescheduling UTME to July/August post-WAEC/NECO;
2. Commissioning independent IT experts for a full infrastructure stress test;
3. Creating a standing committee including JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and ATSO to coordinate schedules and policies;
4. Prioritising candidate welfare by addressing security concerns related to early exam centre arrivals;
5. Institutionalising annual reviews of exam processes with stakeholder participation.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms in the 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.
What you should know
Mr. Oludotun Sodunke, President of ATSO, is a vocal advocate for educational reform.
Under his leadership, ATSO has consistently pushed for a fairer, more technologically sound UTME process and greater stakeholder inclusion in national exam policy-making.
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