From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies has apologised to Nigerians over the glitches that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The chairman of the committee, Oboku Oforji, who tendered the apology at a press briefing in Abuja, said preliminary investigation by the panel indicated that the glitches were caused by human error.
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, last week, attributed the mass failure in this year’s UTME to technical glitches.
Oloyede, who also  tendered a public apology was reacting to the public outrage over the abysmal performance by candidates in the examination.
Last Sunday, the deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for an independent audit of JAMB’s examination infrastructure.
Also, the South East caucus, in a statement, on Monday, called for the  cancellation and rescheduling of the entire UTME, as well as Oloyede’s resignation.
Nonetheless, the Oforji, while calling for an independent probe of the conduct of the 2025 UTME, commended the JAMB registrar for accepting responsibility on behalf of his team.
We sincerely apologise on behalf of the examination body (JAMB) to all Nigerians. The committee recognises the courage and sincerity of the JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for accepting the fault on behalf of his team and apologising to the parents, candidates, and the nation in general.
 “However, these human errors were avoidable because it was out of negligence by JAMB. The committee also appreciates the eagerness and determination of Nigerian students in pursuing their education to improve the future of our country.
“JAMB has consistently made efforts throughout the examination process, from registration to the release of results. Unfortunately, errors which can arise unexpectedly occurred this time.
“I would like to state unequivocally that the members of the National Assembly share these concerns and extend their apologies to the Nigerian public. We also call for an independent and thorough investigation into the matter,” he stated.