The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning amid national uproar following the dismal performance recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This year’s results, described by experts as one of the worst in recent history, have sparked widespread concern over the state of Nigeria’s educational system.
According to data released earlier this week, over 70% of the candidates scored below 200 out of a possible 400, igniting criticism from parents, educators, and stakeholders across the country. In response, JAMB has pledged a thorough investigation into the poor performance and signaled its intent to hold schools, candidates, and tutorial centers accountable.
“We are not just concerned—we are alarmed,” JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said in a press briefing on Thursday. “This isn’t just about failure; it’s about exposing a deepening rot in the system. Any school or center found complicit in exam malpractice or poor preparation will face strict sanctions.”
JAMB officials disclosed that preliminary analysis suggests a sharp rise in candidates relying on unregulated online tutorial platforms and a lack of foundational knowledge in core subjects like Mathematics and English Language.
As part of its response, JAMB announced plans to introduce a stricter accreditation process for tutorial centers and will launch a national assessment of secondary school curricula to identify systemic gaps. Additionally, there is talk of reviewing exam formats to reduce the growing dependence on guesswork and rote learning.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and education advocates have called for a national education summit to address broader issues including teacher quality, school funding, and curriculum relevance.
As investigations continue, JAMB urged students and stakeholders to remain calm, promising transparency and reforms aimed at restoring the credibility of the UTME.
source: Legit.ng
