By Chiagoziem Laurina Abosi
As students across Nigeria settle into their WAEC exam season, hundreds of UTME candidates just received the shock of their lives: they’ll have to rewrite their JAMB exam starting May 16, 2025 — right in the middle of their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The announcement came after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) revealed that a technical glitch had affected 157 out of 887 UTME centres nationwide, leading to abnormally low scores for thousands of candidates. The solution? A full retake.
“Man proposes, God disposes,” JAMB wrote in a now-viral tweet, as it broke the news on May 14. But for students, it’s not just about proposing or disposing — it’s about survival.
WAEC Meets JAMB — How Will Students Cope?
For many secondary school students in Ikeja and across Lagos, May is already packed with back-to-back WAEC papers — Mathematics, English, Biology, Economics and more.
“It’s like our education system is fighting against us,” added Daniel, another candidate from Ogba. “No break, no understanding. We’re just being dragged around.”
Many of the affected students fear burnout, confusion over exam dates, and even missing one exam while trying to attend another.
Why This Matters
Both WAEC and UTME are gateway exams — one gets you your high school leaving certificate, the other your university admission. Messing up either has real consequences.
In Nigeria’s competitive academic environment, students often feel they can’t afford to fail, delay, or miss exams. So when two major tests clash, the pressure becomes unbearable.
What JAMB Has Said So Far
While JAMB has confirmed the re-examination starts May 16, there has been no public statement yet addressing the clash with WAEC.
Affected students have been instructed to reprint their slips to check exact exam dates and venues — but with the WAEC calendar already rolling, tension is rising.
Call to Action: Who’s Speaking for the Students?
Parents, school heads, and education advocates are urging JAMB and WAEC to collaborate quickly and adjust timetables where needed.
“This is not a time to push blame — it’s a time to protect the future of these children,” said Mrs. Ajayi, a school counselor in Ikeja.
So, What Can Students Do Now?
Check your WAEC and JAMB timetables side-by-side.
Speak with your school immediately to help flag date clashes.
Monitor JAMB’s website for updates on changes to rescheduled exams.
Stay calm and prepare smart — you are not alone in this.
Are you one of the affected students? Are you writing both WAEC and UTME this month?
Tell us in the comments how you’re coping.
Your story could help make a change.
And don’t forget to follow IkejaBird for updates that matter to the people of Ikeja.
