Amid nationwide outrage over widespread irregularities during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a civic advocacy group, TakeNigeriaBack, has called for an immediate and thorough criminal investigation into what it describes as systemic sabotage within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a detailed statement issued by its Investigative Desk, the group claimed that the technical glitches and registration failures that plagued UTME centers, particularly in Lagos and South East states like Anambra, Imo, and Abia, were not accidental, but part of a coordinated attempt to undermine the examination process.
The statement has sent shockwaves through the education sector, as students, parents, and education stakeholders express anger over disrupted centers, failed registrations, and the emotional toll on hundreds of thousands of candidates.
According to TakeNigeriaBack, a pattern of failure was uncovered during its independent investigation, especially in Anambra and surrounding states. The group alleges that certain individuals and private contractors hired by JAMB for logistics and technical operations may have deliberately engineered failures that crippled the examination process in select areas.
A central figure named in the investigation is Mr. Jeffery Onochi, whose company allegedly played a key role in the technical setup of the CBT centers. Other individuals identified as involved in the implementation process include Michael Okoli (Anambra), Omole Sunkomi (Osun), Stanley Agoh (Imo), Habib Oladipo (Kwara), Gbenga Oyeleye (Ondo), John Chima (Abia), and Damilola Bamire (Lagos).
The fact that Lagos and the South East were the most severely affected areas has prompted concerns over whether the crisis was strategically coordinated.
“This is not — and must not be misconstrued as — a tribal or religious issue, as some are suggesting,” the group emphasized. “The names involved span across ethnic and religious backgrounds, which points to a different kind of problem: a network of contractors and operatives who may have prioritized personal or financial interests over national integrity.”
TakeNigeriaBack described the situation as an "assault on the futures of millions of Nigerian youth," insisting that the failures went far beyond technical problems and may represent a direct threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.
The group also drew attention to senior JAMB officials who oversaw the examination process in various states. These include Director Owerri Gloria Anyengbu (Anambra), Deputy Director Uche Anolu (Imo), and Lagos Director Shittu Banyali. TakeNigeriaBack is demanding that these officials be questioned regarding their roles and oversight responsibilities.
“In the face of this crisis, JAMB’s silence only deepens public suspicion,” the statement continued. “We call on the Registrar of JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently provide answers to critical questions:
Which companies and individuals were responsible for registration and CBT center operations this year?
What internal investigations have been initiated within JAMB regarding these failures?
Have any of the named service providers or JAMB directors been referred to law enforcement for possible criminal complicity?”
The group warned that if JAMB does not act promptly, it will be compelled to release further intelligence detailing events from the start of the UTME registration process, potentially exposing the full extent of the crisis.
“This is not just about failed exams,” the group concluded. “It is about the integrity of our educational system and the right of every Nigerian student to a fair opportunity. JAMB must act now to restore public confidence — before it’s too late.”
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