Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader Mr Peter Obi has raised serious concerns over the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, describing them as a reflection of Nigeria’s longstanding neglect of the education sector.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reported that out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the examination, over 1.5 million scored below 200, the benchmark for university admission in many institutions.
Only 420,415 candidates surpassed the 200 mark, with just 4,756 scoring above 320 and 7,658 scoring between 300 and 319.
Reacting via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi attributed the dismal performance to chronic underinvestment in education, calling for urgent reforms.
He added that education is not merely a social service but a strategic investment crucial for national development and poverty alleviation.
Obi also criticised JAMB’s scheduling practices, alleging that candidates were required to arrive at examination centres as early as 6:30 a.m., exposing them to potential risks.
He described this as reckless, citing reports of students facing accidents and other hazards while trying to attend the examinations.
In response, JAMB clarified that examinations commence at 8:00 a.m., with verification processes starting at 6:30 a.m. to ensure candidates are adequately prepared before the exams begin.
Obi’s comments have sparked widespread discussions about the state of Nigeria’s education system, with many stakeholders calling for comprehensive reforms to address the systemic issues highlighted by the UTME results.
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