Daily Justice - Latest News Updates in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria – 5 May 2025
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), revealing a staggering failure rate that has ignited fierce criticism across Nigeria. Official figures show that over 1.5 million of the 1,955,069 candidates who sat the exams scored below 200, equating to a failure rate exceeding 75%.

The unprecedented outcome has drawn sharp rebuke from education advocates, with many pointing to the exam board’s controversial scheduling and poor examination conditions as key factors. In a widely circulated post on X, user @OurFavOnlineDoc condemned JAMB’s decision to schedule exams as early as 6:30am, describing the timing as “incredibly unsafe and dangerous.” The post, which has garnered significant attention, argued that such conditions placed undue pressure on students, contributing to the dismal results.

“JAMB’s timetable is not the sole reason for the failures—some students may not have prepared adequately,” @OurFavOnlineDoc acknowledged. “But when over 75% of candidates fail, it’s no longer just about the students. You have to question the quality of teaching, the exam conditions, or both.”

The early exam slots, which JAMB defended despite reports of logistical chaos and safety concerns, have been particularly contentious. Critics argue that the scheduling disadvantaged students, especially those travelling long distances to exam centres. Tragically, some candidates reportedly lost their lives in accidents linked to the early timings, further fuelling public outrage.

“This is a shame on JAMB and a huge shame on the government,” @OurFavOnlineDoc stated, accusing the authorities of permitting “murderous exam timing” and failing to address systemic issues in education. The post also slammed JAMB’s defenders, labelling them “brainless morons” and “idiotic zombies” for supporting the board’s actions.

Education experts have echoed these concerns, calling for a thorough review of JAMB’s operations. “A 75% failure rate is a systemic failure,” said Dr Amina Yusuf, an education consultant based in Abuja. “It points to deeper issues, from poorly trained teachers to inadequate facilities and unrealistic exam demands. Blaming the students alone is lazy and unfair.”

JAMB has yet to issue an official response to the criticism, but pressure is mounting for the board to address the scheduling controversy and implement reforms. Meanwhile, the government faces growing calls to intervene and ensure fairer examination processes.

As the debate rages on, the 2025 results have left millions of young Nigerians facing an uncertain future, with many now forced to consider alternative paths to higher education. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on JAMB and the government to address what many are calling a national disgrace.