The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned candidates and parents against blaming the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the mass failure recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This comes in the wake of mounting criticisms and threats of legal action against JAMB over alleged technical glitches during the exams.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the backlash as misplaced and urged candidates to accept responsibility for their performance.
“Some parents and candidates who failed the 2025 JAMB exam have threatened to sue the board over alleged technical issues. But that’s like crying over spilled milk,” Akintola said.
He argued that most of the failures were due to poor preparation. “Instead of studying hard, many candidates wasted time partying, loitering, and depending on so-called ‘magic centres’ for shortcuts to success. Unfortunately for them, JAMB has outsmarted such tactics,” he stated.
Addressing claims of technical malfunctions at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, MURIC clarified that such issues should not be blamed on JAMB, as the board does not directly manage the operations of individual centres.
“While the law establishing JAMB may suggest some vicarious responsibility, technical realities show the problems lie within the centres themselves,” the statement read.
The group urged parents to guide their children toward self-discipline and academic seriousness, warning against overindulgence and entitlement.
“Parents must stop pampering their children. The future belongs to hardworking and focused youths, not those still being breastfed at 25,” MURIC warned.
“JAMB is not the enemy. The real enemies are negligent parents and a society that glorifies laziness while mocking diligence. It’s time to lick your wounds, reflect, and prepare better—leave JAMB alone.”