An insider at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that the recent UTME technical glitch was aimed at candidates of Igbo origin.
According to Premium Times, JAMB recently disclosed that a technical error affected the results of 379,997 candidates in 157 computer-based test centres located across Lagos and the South-east. The glitch prompted concerns and accusations from various groups, some alleging that the disruption was a targeted attack against Igbo candidates.
The board responded by rescheduling the exams for those affected. However, critics, including the Ohanaeze Youth Council and some university lecturers, questioned the integrity of the process, demanding accountability and alleging deliberate manipulation to disadvantage candidates from the South-east.
A senior official within JAMB, who requested anonymity, strongly refuted those accusations, calling them divisive and baseless.
“The COO of the service provider is an Igbo man from Delta State, Jeffrey Onochi. He did the processing of the result for JAMB. Are you saying he will agree to target Igbo candidates?” the official said.
He further named several key personnel involved in the IT process—many of whom are from the affected region—including Stanley Agu (Imo), John Chima Iheonu (Abia), and supervisors Uche Ohielo and Collins Ojiere. Gloria Anyaegbu, the director of JAMB’s Owerri zonal office, is from Anambra State.
JAMB’s review showed the issue was confined to the Lagos and Owerri zones, impacting 65 centres in Lagos and 92 centres across the South-east states of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu.
The board maintains that the issue stemmed from a software patch error and assures candidates that corrective actions have been implemented.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
